Permission to reprint. Read the original article here: https://www.certifid.com/article/2023-fbi-ic3-report-what-you-need-to-know The FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report was released with eye-opening data on emerging threats and losses. Since its inception in 2000, the IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center) has accumulated over 8 million complaints. The latest report reveals yet another alarming surge in cybercrime in the U.S. in 2023. With investment … Continue reading 2023 FBI IC3 Report: What You Need to Know
Summer 2024 Puzzle
Instructions. Complete the word search below.
What’s New With ALTA – Summer 2024
Title Professionals Spend Significant Time, Resources to Protect Property RightsTitle insurance companies invest heavily in upfront title research and curative work that significantly protects property rights and limits ownership challenges down the road... ALTA Title Insurance Curative Work StudyThe objective of this study is an attempt to quantify the amount of work that goes into … Continue reading What’s New With ALTA – Summer 2024
Littoral Rights vs. Riparian Rights
I. Littoral Waters and Riparian Waters A person owning or considering the purchase of waterfront property might be interested to know whether the property includes littoral rights or riparian rights. The starting point is to understand the difference between littoral waters and riparian waters. Littoral refers to a pooled body of water, such as a pond, lake … Continue reading Littoral Rights vs. Riparian Rights
ARTU Summer 2024 Q & A
Anal Retentive Title Underwriter Question & AnswerQ. In April of 2016, Mrs. Turner died and her will was probated without qualification by the named executor. All of her property was devised to specific individuals, with the exception of the Lake Property. The will defined Residuary Estate as “all the remainder of my property which has not … Continue reading ARTU Summer 2024 Q & A
You’re Invited: VLTA Annual Convention & 50th Anniversary Celebration
OCTOBER 17-18, 2024 Historic Cavalier Hotel & Marriott Virginia Beach OceanfrontBOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOMS NOW What to Expect? 7-Hours of Education (CE & CLE pending) Motivational Keynote Speaker New Member & First Time Attendee Welcome Reception (by special invite) VLTA Convention Launch Party & 50th Anniversary Celebration Special Events (additional registration required): Bourbon Tour and … Continue reading You’re Invited: VLTA Annual Convention & 50th Anniversary Celebration
2024 ALTA Advocacy Summit Experience
Stephanie Campbell:I consider ALTA Advocacy to be the most important event of the year. This is an opportunity for me to be a real advocate for my industry. ALTA does an incredible and thorough job of educating the attendees about politics, the inner workings of Washington, DC or what’s happening on “the Hill.” As an attendee, you … Continue reading 2024 ALTA Advocacy Summit Experience
In Memory of Linwood “Junny” Sykes
We have suffered a great loss in many areas with the loss of Linwood “Junny” Sykes. Junny as known by all was a great man, person, father, husband and friend. I will miss my many visits with him and Bea in Williamsburg at our favorite restaurant Maurizio’s. Junny’s dry humor and quick wit never missed … Continue reading In Memory of Linwood “Junny” Sykes
Business Trusts in Virginia: An Overview for Title Insurers
While corporations and limited liability companies are the most common business entities, Virginia also allows for the formation of another type of unincorporated association known as a business trust. These trusts can hold title to real estate and other property just like any other business entity. A business trust is a legal arrangement where the … Continue reading Business Trusts in Virginia: An Overview for Title Insurers
The NAR Settlement, and What It Means to the Title Industry
In March, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to a $418-million settlement to settle several pending lawsuits alleging that NAR members used business practices that kept commissions artificially high, and drew compensation from the seller for services given to the buyer. Many news outlets, including the New York Times™, Washington Post™, USA Today™, Richmond … Continue reading The NAR Settlement, and What It Means to the Title Industry
WHEN MARRIAGE MATTERS – Part 1: Various Ways Marital Status Can Affect Title
Take the VLTA online course, "When Marriage Matters", on-demand here: https://www.pathlms.com/vlta/courses/69081 (1-hour of CE, CLE and CCE credits). Introduction Marriage matters for many reasons. Just ask anyone, and you are likely to get sundry reasons for why marriage matters: love, security, companionship, children, etc. But pose that same question to someone in the title industry, and you may … Continue reading WHEN MARRIAGE MATTERS – Part 1: Various Ways Marital Status Can Affect Title
The Truth Is Out There
I was watching an old 1993 episode of The X-Files recently called “Ghost in the Machine.” It’s about an artificial intelligence capable of adaptive learning that starts killing the people trying to shut it down with a virus on a floppy disc. The developer has a prototype “Smart House” that he shows off to Mulder … Continue reading The Truth Is Out There
Access to Deeds and Land Records in Virginia: A Thirty-Year Perspective Part 3 – Electronic Commerce Solutions
Read part 1 here: Access to Deeds and Land Records in Virginia Part 1 – The Ghost of Title Search Past. Read part 2 here: Access to Deeds and Land Records in Virginia: A Thirty-Year Perspective Part 2 – Digital Conversion is a Game Changer. I appreciate the opportunity to share my perspectives with the … Continue reading Access to Deeds and Land Records in Virginia: A Thirty-Year Perspective Part 3 – Electronic Commerce Solutions
Virginia’s Homeownership Rate Is on the Rise, but With Tight Inventory and Climbing Prices, Who Is Missing Out?
In June we celebrate National Homeownership Month. It’s a good time to reflect the milestone of homeownership, and how it continues to be a key step for building strong communities and building generational wealth. It’s a time to celebrate the wins, but it is also an important time to assess where improvements are needed, where … Continue reading Virginia’s Homeownership Rate Is on the Rise, but With Tight Inventory and Climbing Prices, Who Is Missing Out?
Celebrating 50 Years: Mark Ailsworth’s Experience as 1996-1997 Past President
When I joined a major title insurance underwriter in 1989, the role of title insurance companies and their agents in Virginia was clearly defined. Our industry provided the title insurance products required by modern lending practices and real estate commerce. Attorneys settled the transactions involving the properties we insured, just as I had done for … Continue reading Celebrating 50 Years: Mark Ailsworth’s Experience as 1996-1997 Past President
The Claims Corner: A Failed Specific Devise – Intricacies of Examining and Underwriting Estates in Virginia
Let’s face it -- it’s just not easy to determine how to vest property that has gone through an estate in Virginia. It’s a complicated task, and sparks quite a few title insurance claims. This article discusses the issue of a specific devise in a probated will that failed due to the devisee predeceasing the testator. … Continue reading The Claims Corner: A Failed Specific Devise – Intricacies of Examining and Underwriting Estates in Virginia