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The check is in the Mail...The Wire's in the Clouds...I Still Can't Disburse!

By
Title Insurance with Family Abstract, Inc.

Family Abstract, Inc. and all title insurance agencies have a fiduciary responsibility tohttp://familyabstract.com our insured, both the lender and the Home buyer equally.  We are asked to break our laws and guidelines quite often by a another third party to the transaction.  Our office encountered yet another Real Estate agent requesting, OK, demanding we release the funds because,” The Wire has been sent and we have a confirmation it was sent!”

The conversation was something like this:

Buyers Realtor:  As I already explained to your settlement clerk, we have confirmation from the bank, the wire has been sent!

Me: I understand and I can empathize with your situation but my hands are tied, we must abide by the “Good Funds Act” we don’t have a choice.

Buyers Realtor:  Are you really saying that the confirmation isn’t good enough?

Me: Yes

Buyers Realtor: I have never heard of such a thing! I am shocked and appalled!  If I say the wire was sent it was sent.  If the bank says its confirmed then you know it was sent.

Me: Then herein lies the issue, sent is not received.  The law was enacted over 5 years ago.  I remember a Penn Title  memo to all agents from Penn Title 1997. it said, "Not even just this once. Not even for your best customer. Not even if the Realtor, mortgage broker, next door neighbor, or borrower’s brother’s wife’s father
would like his check yesterday! NOT WITHOUT GOOD FUNDS! Additional memos followed.

Sellers Realtor: But my seller needs these funds for her purchase this afternoon!  You need to make them available! We are going to be late for their closing which will make me late for my hair and nail appointment.

Me: Mouth open jaw dropped, in awe! http://www.familyabstract.com

Buyers Realtor:  You are the first title company (a perennial favorite) I have ever dealt with that won’t make an exception for something this ridiculous!  

Me:  Ridiculous?  I am not in receipt of the $530,000 your demanding i disburse,  I'm just saying... that seems ridiculous! 

Buyers and Sellers agent:  The wire, we told your girl and now you, was confirmed and on it’s way.

Me:  On it’s way. Check is in the mail!  Wire is in the clouds! Same story, updated version

Sellers Realtor:  You have other settlements going on today, I’m sure.  Why can’t you just use some of that money to fund our deal, then you can replace it when the wire, You are so worried about, gets there like we all know it will!

Me:  You are asking me to use someone else’s money to and use it for this settlement?  Co-mingle http://www.familyabstract.comescrow funds? You just want me to borrow the money for a little while? Rob Peter to Pay Paul? Sure, I can rename the Agency, “Ponzie Abstract and Title” Is that what you’re asking?

Buyers Agent:  YES Exactly.  Its right for everyone concerned except you!  And lord knows you are replaceable!

Me: Well, have you both ever considered the potential impact on my clients and their lender, my partner and her 3 kids, our 22 employees and their families or my wife and our 2 kids, if this all blows up? It has happened, there are documented cases. 

Buyers agent:  You should consider them strongly when you tell me NO, YOUR FUTURE DEALS are at risk!

Sellers Agent: I’m working with 3 other buyers, if you can do this favor for us, I will introduce you to each of them.

Me: So, I do what you demand while you play "Good Realtor Bad Realtor" and I am guaranteed more deals from both of you.

Buyers Realtor and Sellers Realtor: Now you understand. That’s what we want.

Me: I will gladly fore go your future deals on behalf of my family, my partner, her family, our employee’s and their families, and OUR buyers and their bank, OUR INSURED!

http://www.nucazza.comAnd then the voices as if delivered from heaven...

Home Buyer:  No, that’s not what we want!  Thank You Glenn, I really appreciate the education and now I fully understand why your office suggested the settlement be later in the morning in the first place but the sellers agent said she had other plans for the afternoon.  I have friends buying homes, I’ll be sure to give them your contact information.

Seller: I understand completely.  I’m not happy but I get it.  I really don’t want money you don’t have yet?  That’s ridiculous!  It’s not like I could buy the next house with magic money, right!

Me to buyer and seller: I appreciate you both!  Thank you!

At Family Abstract, we continue to take the high road… no matter what! We believe the home buyer is the center of Real Estate even if we really never get the opportunity to let them know.  We are working hard to become more home buyer direct. Title insurance has become such a transparent part of buying a home,we are nearly invisible.

PLEASE TAKE 2:14 SECONDS AND VIEW MY xTRANORMAL CARTOON AND PASS IT AROUND, THANKS.

 

Tell me what you think, please leave a comment.  I promise to continue the conversation and I hope you’ll do the same.

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Posted by

About Family Abstract, Inc.

Established in 2002, Family Abstract, Inc. provides Title Insurance to clients and customers throughout Florida, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania with more than 40 years of combined experience in management alone. We pride ourselves on retaining the most skilled and knowledgeable employees who share our goals of providing the best service in the industry.

Located in Horsham, Pennsylvania, Family Abstract, Inc. maintains an extensive network of skilled title insurance abstractors in all the states we service in addition to a nationwide network of qualified closing agents who are available to close loans at any location.

Backed by the strength of four title insurance underwriters, we are able to provide expert attention to detail without sacrificing versatility in the closing process, thus providing more options in difficult title situations. Due to our depth of industry knowledge and commitment to excellent service, Family Abstract, Inc. has been able to develop client relationships that have endured for decades.

Having successfully settled and insured thousands of transactions, we have already earned the trust and confidence of hundreds of customers, lenders, brokers, and realtors and now we would like to share our expertise with you!

Comments (13)

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Great post sent does not mean received a lot of customer's don't realize the difference. Thanks for posting the story.

Oct 31, 2011 06:09 AM
Suzi Sandore
RealtyONEGroup - San Diego, CA
North County San Diego Homes

Very creative way of getting the point across. There will always be people who think the rules and laws apply to everyone else except them. All you can do is keep to the high road and try to educate when you can. Loved your cartoon!

Oct 31, 2011 06:16 AM
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Pat, Thanks for your understanding of the situation, I appreciate it.  As a society I think the consensus is everything is immediate!

Oct 31, 2011 07:57 AM
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Suzi, thanks so much for commenting.  Also, I appreciate you taking the time to view my cartoon.  I'll see you on the high road, I got a feeling there aren't many there!

Oct 31, 2011 07:59 AM
Anonymous
Lori

Great Story Glenn!!!!

Oct 31, 2011 09:44 AM
#5
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Lori, thanks for posting.

Nov 01, 2011 02:17 AM
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Sheila, The old days seem to be making a comeback!  For title agencies, the old days and news days are a blur!

Nov 02, 2011 02:59 AM
Anonymous
Lesa Martinez

I love it.  It is so true.  I will be sharing this around the office.  There really are so many people who just don't understand and those who don't care.  As an escrow officer I face this problem often.  I try to explain ahead of time if there is a deal contingent upon my deal but more often than not it doesn't help.  I get it, everyone wants to get paid but that is the reason for escrow and title - so everything is done within the laws.   Thank you for sharing.

Nov 02, 2011 04:12 AM
#8
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Its good for fighting the insanity, thanks for commenting, i appereciate it.

Nov 02, 2011 01:23 PM
Anonymous
Deb McClarigan
Kudos Glenn. And isn't it surprising the Buyers and Sellers understand it after an explanation. Always loved hearing "you are the only title company...." Keep up the good work.
Nov 08, 2011 01:07 AM
#10
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Deb, thanks a bunch for commenting, I appreciate it.

Nov 08, 2011 03:53 AM
Anonymous
Nancy Walker

I can't tell you how many E & O claims I have seen over the years with these circumstances.  The cartoon made me laugh.  The claims didn't.  Thanks for posting.  Excellent illustration.

 

Nov 08, 2011 04:47 AM
#12
Glenn Freezman
Family Abstract, Inc. - Horsham, PA

Nancy, thanks so much for commenting and taking the time to view the cartoon.  I can't figure out another way to get our point accross... Cartoons seems to take the edge off.

 

Thanks again

Nov 09, 2011 02:30 AM