Harford and Cecil County Homes

Earlier today, Frank LLosa posted an article named, Ethical Affiliated Businesses?  Frank is visibly and rightfully concerned about the blatant abuses of RESPA by the participants in many joint ventures.  I am morally and philosophically opposed to any development that restricts free trade and co...

I posted this article on Title-opoly earler today and thought that it might be of interest to some.  Keep in mind, it's my personal opinion. Last week, First American announced the release of a new product named TitleSmart. TitleSmart equips lenders with the ability to procure a title commitment ...

WHEN ONE HUD 1 JUST ISN'T ENOUGHYou're scheduled to close tomorrow and call your title company to ask for a faxed settlement sheet.  You discover that the buyer needs $500 more than she expected or has saved.  The listing agent tells you that the seller is willing to contribute the entire amount....

I always enjoy the banter on AR about the realtor's code of ethics.  At least you have a set of rules that seem to make sense to most of you.  I want to share the code of ethics published by the American Land Title Association.  Keep in mind, the land title industry is responsible for tens of bil...

Recently, there's been a couple of posts on AR dealing with title insurance.   The title abstract (land records search) serves as the underpinning of every title policy and title opionion.  I've taken the time to compile a quick reference guide that should prove helpful to realtors and consumers ...

Do you have an owner's title policy?  It's a question I often ask groups of title executives to see their response.  Usually theres some chuckling and a little rustling in the seats.  But, its a question thats touchy and legitimate at the same time.  Doesn't everybody buy title insurance?  Isn't ...

Last month, I briefly touched upon the findings of an investigation conducted by Washington's Insurance Commissioner, Mike Kreidler, into illegal marketing practices employed by the title industry.  See, Two Different Settlements Sheets?.  On November 21, 2006, Kreidler's office released a "Techn...

Yesterday, Slava Makler wrote an excellent post concerning identity theft and Florida refinances, "Homeowner Identity Thieves."  Last year I heard about a similar situation in Georgia.On May 30, 2006 a 30 year old Atlanta woman was arrested in connection with an FBI sting operation and charged wi...

I'm admittedly concerned about the real estate and mortgage fraud outlook for 2007 after considering the developments of the past year.  Real estate and mortgage fraud is a complicated issue presenting a spectrum of societal challenges in the form of costs and consequences.  Industry leaders expr...

In November, 2006 Forbes Magazine ran Scott Woolley's negative indictment of the title industry, "Inside America's Richest Insurance Racket".   Referring at different times to research, interviews and the findings of an 10 month investigation conducted by the Washington state insurance commission...