live: "$22,500 for One Memorial Stone? Quick Witted Widow!
- 08/31/12 04:04 AM
As we were completing a settlement the other day at Family Abstract, our Title Insurance agency, the borrower, a widow had her deed changed to reflect the passing of her late husband. She was complaining with a broad smile on her face that when her husband died he only had $30,000 to his name. The story went like this... Her husband dies. He had $30,000 to his name. After everything is done at the funeral home and cemetery, she tells us that there is none of the $30,000 left. We ask, "How can that be? The widow says, "Well, the funeral … (8 comments)
live: The importance of a Balcony
- 08/16/12 03:12 AM
Today's discussion around the settlement table at Family Abstract, dealt with the topic of balconies. When buying or selling real estate, just how important is a great balcony? Balconies create great views, open air living and an extension to bring the outdoors, indoors. The higher the balcony, the better the view, the larger the balcony, the better the living space becomes. What are the "other" uses for a Balcony? My parents had an interesting use, continuing reading below... I am the eight year old little boy in the story below, The only way to pull off a Sunday afternoon 'quickie' with … (9 comments)
live: Lunch with the Girls, a quick 70 year story.
- 08/08/12 05:32 AM
If you find yourself showing the same houses to the same people that once one is purchased, you'll need title insurance on, then keep reading this cute story. Houses look different to different people, the perception that folks take away from looking at a property always differs from person to person. LUNCH WITH THE GIRLS A group of 15-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner. Finally, they agreed to meet at the Dairy Queen, next door to the Ocean View restaurant, because they had only $6.00 among them and Brad Johnson, the cute boy in Social Studies, lived on that … (6 comments)
87% Fix-A-Flat ============================================================= This posting didn’t have a whole lot to do with title insurance, but lets face it, how much can we really discuss about title insurance and still expect you to read it? Consider it a public service announcement. From my family to yours, from Title Insurance commitment to policy, all our very best! Take at least a moment each day to smile and laugh, then call Family Abstract for all your title needs in PA, NJ, MD and FL. At Family Abstract, Inc. We look forward to making … (4 comments)
live: Who's says Reverse Mortgage clients are not funny? Monday Funnies!
- 07/30/12 05:50 AM
Two elderly women were eating breakfast in a restaurant one morning. Ethel noticed something funny about Mabel's ear and she said, '"Mabel, do you know you've got a suppository in your left ear?" Mabel answered, "I have a suppository in my ear?" She pulled it out and stared at it. Then she said, "Ethel, I'm glad you saw this thing. Now I think I know where to find my hearing aid." ******************** When the husband finally died his wife put the usual death notice in the paper, but added that he died of gonorrhea. No sooner were the papers delivered when … (5 comments)
live: It’s Time to Take down the bird feeder
- 07/27/12 01:22 AM
We received yet another example of a company from India trying to get onto the American Title Industry. Using the American court records, the companies from India can produce and deliver property records quicker and cheaper than we can with our own records in America. As they are a fact gathering outfit working out of India, I can almost guarantee there will be no positive impact on the US economy by using their services. Is this one step beyond the illegal immigrant issue in the United States. Have the illegal immigrants figured out, if you don’t wont take care of us … (5 comments)
live: Title Insurance, During the Dog Days of Summer
- 07/25/12 01:25 AM
One of the best days of the month at Family Abstract, is when my dog, Cabo gets groomed and I bring his 90 pounds of overly affectionate Golden Retriever body to the title insurance office. In the picture to the right you can see how he has given his “Chin of Approval” to the blue folders proposal. A dog , as everyone knows is God spelled backwards, coincidence, I don’t think so. Today’s list is of some great “Dog Quotes”, by the way, do I have to put dog quotes in quotes? Well, this is my dog Cabo, when we … (0 comments)
live: Top 15 Corporate Terminologies you should know
- 07/23/12 06:21 AM
With the constant chaos that seems to be plaguing the Mortgage industry, we at Family Abstract, Inc., a Title Insurance company that is fortunate enough to do a lot of the work from some of the nations greatest lenders, can sympathize with this sign spotted in a clients office today. I was walking through the office and on the wall of the "HR" department was the following sign.... ENJOY! COMPETITIVE SALARY: We remain competitive by paying less than our competitors. JOIN OUR FAST-PACED COMPANY: We have no time to train you. CASUAL WORK ATMOSPHERE: We don't pay you … (7 comments)
live: What to do with the children during your real estate settlement
- 07/20/12 02:52 AM
At Family Abstract, where I have done Title Insurance for the last 11 years, we often do settlements with buyers and sellers that bring their children to the settlement. Now what?? Why not entertain ourselves and the kids by playing "Kids Say The Darndest Things". I am the proud father of a 22 year old daughter that once was on the show with Bill Cosby. At the office, I take on the Bill Cosby role and ask the kids a list of questions and we compile the answers. The settlement goes off without a hitch, the kids are happy, the parents … (10 comments)
live: Born To Kvetch! A monday morning smile
- 07/19/12 05:16 AM
Can there be such a thing as Jewish Zen? Could Family Abstract, Inc. have found the only 2 Jewish Buddhas in the entire world? The answer quite simply is NO! It’s been a 5000 year tradition, the problem was, we didn’t know what to call it. I am sure that my “Bubby” never once considered the expressions she used to be Jewish Zen. One of the great “Bonuses” we get as an East Coast title insurance company is the opportunity to sit around a settlement table with some of the greatest people. It is the sound of one Jew kvetching. It … (0 comments)
live: Senior Dress Code discussed during Settlement at Family Abstract
- 07/17/12 03:29 AM
At Family Abstract, we get to settle homes for buyers of all ages. To me there is nothing better than an older, or really older, or really older, older couple is at our title insurance agency buying a new home. Whether its a single, a condo, assisted living or a town-home, I love to listen to stories of the older generation. The simplicity and difficulties of growing up, some without electric, some old enough to remember the need to "wind" the car up before it would run. (The car at this point in history, at my home was known simply as … (3 comments)
live: A Mortgage Refinance in a Church can be Funny
- 07/12/12 12:53 AM
What ever happened to the innocence of youth? Out of the mouths of babes has been an expression for as long as anyone can remember. Our Title Insurance company, Family Abstract was doing a refinance settlement for a local church in Horsham Pa. As we were going through the documents, somehow the conversation turns to “Kids say the Darnedest Things” and many of the classic things that have been overheard around the church. Here are some of the top ones… ‘Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name.. Amen.’ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A little boy was overheard praying: ‘Lord, if … (0 comments)
live: Are you sitting on your talent
- 07/11/12 12:37 AM
I was looking around our Title Insurance office and reflecting just how much talent we have exposed in our people over the last 11 years of being an agency. At Family Abstract we have hired “file clerks” that have turned into top notch, world class settlement agents, we have hired an order intake gal, that became an incredible customer service, settlement set up extraordinaire employee. The amount of pent up talent that is sitting in your office would probably blow you away. Sometimes it’s worth forcing the issue, making an employee handle a job they may not be comfortable with, yet … (4 comments)
live: Just like Title Insurance, The “Devil” is in the details!
- 07/09/12 11:41 PM
This sign was prominently displayed in front of a business in Florida and you are probably outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory sign. However, we are a society which holds Freedom of Speech as perhaps one of our greatest liberties. And after all, it is only a sign, right? You may ask: "What kind of business would dare post such a sign?"
Answer: A Funeral Home! =================================================================================== At Family Abstract we are well aware that outward facing problem is often not the obvious answer. Title Insurance is the Real Estate equivalent to playing … (2 comments)
live: The true nature of a heart is in what we choose to love
- 07/09/12 12:06 AM
A couple of old timers were making settlement at Family Abstract, Inc. While we were all sitting around the conversation came around as to how the sellers met. As a title insurance company we get to meet the most interesting people with the greatest stories. This one went like this… Lieutenant Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn’t. The girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before … (2 comments)
live: Front Lawn Highlight
- 07/06/12 01:32 AM
One of our Settlement Clerks from Family Abstract, Inc took this picture on the way up the front walk of the home that about to be purchased. So far, even the latest 2012, Alta forms don't allow Title Insurance agencies to insure any less than 47 blades of grass in any 1 foot square area. I can't imagine the rest of the home if the sellers had this much love for their "FRONT LAWN"!!!
Make is a great weekend, from commitment to Policy, from My Family to yours, All our very best! Its the end of another week at Family … (4 comments)
live: Title Insurance Company Creates Top 5 Riddles
- 07/03/12 01:02 AM
Holy Smooth Settlement Batman! My favorite Batman character when I was growing up was definitely, The Riddler. So, what better activity to do while awaiting the final “blessing” from the Mortgage company than ask The Home-Buyers, Realtors, our Title Insurance Settlement Clerk and the Mortgage Man to help us come up with the top 5 riddles. Here is our combined effort list… Answers are on the bottom. 1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third … (6 comments)
live: Just 5 Minutes more, A Title Insurance/Life Lesson
- 06/25/12 02:14 AM
At Family Abstract, Inc. we will do a settlement anywhere the parties want to. We have done them at an office, on a hood of a car, at a rest stop, in a hotel, at the airport and on and on. This particular day we were asked to do the settlement in a park that was adjacent to the property. Our picnic table, settlement office was set back to back with a father and mother having a conversation. It struck us all that the “Difficulties” and the outstanding issues even the nagging and somewhat disturbing challenges of getting a home to … (4 comments)
Bringing all parties together – that’s what we do!
Whether you are a Realtor, lender, broker, buyer or seller, your success is our mission!
Title Matters is a blog edited and maintained as a cooperative effort by the owners and employees of Family Abstract, Inc.
By combining our knowledge, skills and energy we can share what we know, find answers to questions, and do what a good title company is supposed to do – bring all the parties together!
As we were completing a settlement the other day at Family Abstract, our Title Insurance agency, the borrower, a widow had her deed changed to reflect the passing of her late husband. She was complaining with a broad smile on her face that when her husband died he only had $30,000 to his name. 
;)
;)
