By: Tina Merritt What is HOP? HOP is ALTA’s Homebuyer Outreach Program; a valuable resource for title agents looking to educate consumers, real estate agents and other parties about the importance of title insurance and the closing process. By providing clear and concise information, HOP helps demystify the often misunderstood aspect of the title and … Continue reading HOP – the FREE Marketing Resources Every Title Agent Needs at their Fingertips!
IC3 Report Highlights Need for Heightened Cybercrime Awareness
Article by Michael Holden, Author of The Ramblings of a Title Man and Vice President of AmTrust Title Insurance Company. Each year, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) releases a detailed report on the number of cybercrime complaints fielded in the previous year. This year as it marks its 25th anniversary, the agency highlighted … Continue reading IC3 Report Highlights Need for Heightened Cybercrime Awareness
FIRPTA: In a Nutshell – Part Two
Article by Kevin Pogoda. This is part two of "FIRPTA: In a Nutshell - Part One". Determining tax liability based on capital contribution is well beyond the expertise of the purchaser (who is liable for such withholding) or the settlement agent acting on the purchaser’s behalf. Other options to consider: (1) sending the full amount of … Continue reading FIRPTA: In a Nutshell – Part Two
Issues Involving Railroad Rights-of-Way in Virginia (Mostly) – Part Two
Article by R. Michael Smith This is the second installment of a two-part article that is an expansion of the materials included in the VLTA seminar, The Sound and the Fury: Railroads, Rights-of-Way, and Revesting, and a 2017 Examiner article, Derailed by the Supreme Court. Some sections have remained the same, other sections have been … Continue reading Issues Involving Railroad Rights-of-Way in Virginia (Mostly) – Part Two
Testifying as an Expert Witness as a Title Examiner
Article by Julie Ann Rutledge “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience. You need experience to gain wisdom.” Albert Einstein This quote described my reality upon graduation from University with a BSW, many moons ago. The excitement of graduation was quickly squashed by the lack of available jobs in my field. All … Continue reading Testifying as an Expert Witness as a Title Examiner
Twenty Helpful Title Research Tools Found Outside of the Land Records
Article by Michelle L. Statz & Jerry C. Booth, Jr. Title research is typically associated with examining public land records to confirm ownership and to uncover any outstanding claims or encumbrances against a property. However, there are instances where additional sources and methods, outside of traditional land records, are very helpful in discovering more information … Continue reading Twenty Helpful Title Research Tools Found Outside of the Land Records
Some Air Rights Considerations in Virginia
Article by Jon W. Brodegard I. Introduction and Background At its broadest, ownership of or title to land means the right to use or develop, to exclude others from, and to otherwise control everything within the cubic space located not only below and upon, but also above a defined area located on the surface of … Continue reading Some Air Rights Considerations in Virginia
VLTA Members in Motion – March 2025
Share with VLTA what you’re doing in your community, your new jobs, promotions, retirements, milestones, professional accomplishments, good deeds, events, awards, or even a member advocacy story or testimonial while you’re at it! News can include a relevant link to an article, blog post, press release, video, landing page, or website. Join us in celebrating … Continue reading VLTA Members in Motion – March 2025
2025 VLTA Annual Convention Sneak-Peek
October 23-24, 2025Hilton Richmond Short Pump Hotel & SpaRichmond, VA What to Expect? 7-Hours of Education CE & CLE (pending) Thursday Morning Legislative Breakfast (separate registration is required) Special Guest Keynote Speaker New Member & First Time Attendee Welcome Reception (by special invite) Thursday Night Opening Reception (for all registered Convention attendees) Friday Morning Breakfast … Continue reading 2025 VLTA Annual Convention Sneak-Peek
VLTA 2025 Regionals – REGISTER NOW
VLTA has TWO more regional events left in 2025! Don't miss out - Register by clicking one of the regional events below: April 1, 2025 Regional Event - Charlottesville May 1, 2025 Regional Event - Virginia Beach Regional Speakers & Sessions Lineup: Gina Sultan: "Combating Fraud in the Title & Real Estate Industry" Jewel Quintyne/Tray Brooks: "Cybersecurity: … Continue reading VLTA 2025 Regionals – REGISTER NOW
VLTA March Board of Director Spotlight: Elaine Cook
1. Why are you a member of VLTA? As an independent title examiner, I wanted to build a network for education and support, as well as to learn more about the process. 2. How long have you been in the title industry and how did you get started in this profession? I did not go to college … Continue reading VLTA March Board of Director Spotlight: Elaine Cook
What’s New With ALTA – March 2025
2025 Market Outlook: Insights and ProjectionsThe economic and housing landscapes remain at the forefront of conversations about growth, stability and opportunity. During an ALTA Insights webinar, Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist at First American Financial Corp., analyzed economic indicators, mortgage rate projects, housing inventory forecasts and market dynamics that will affect title order volume... Seller … Continue reading What’s New With ALTA – March 2025
EQUITABLE SUBROGATION IN VIRGINIA: THE SEQUEL
Reprinted with permission from the Virginia State Bar In 2001, I wrote an article for the Virginia Land Title Association (VLTA) Examiner simply entitled Equitable Subrogation in Virginia. The article appeared in Volume 7, Number 1, of the VLTA Examiner. Twenty-three years later, this is the sequel. Occasionally, lenders who believe they are secured by … Continue reading EQUITABLE SUBROGATION IN VIRGINIA: THE SEQUEL
DCLTA & VLTA Cybersecurity Summit Recap
On a beautiful sunny morning in March, the District of Columbia Land Title Association (“DCLTA”) and the Virginia Land Title Association (“VLTA”) jointly hosted the Cybersecurity Summit. This dynamic meeting provided an opportunity for title professionals to learn more about the latest fraud schemes, how to protect against fraud, what to do when a transaction … Continue reading DCLTA & VLTA Cybersecurity Summit Recap
Clerk’s Association Message
The Virginia Court Clerks’ Association (VCCA) held its annual convention in September 2024 and installed its Officers for 2024-2025. This year’s President is Kelly Flannagan from the Bristol Circuit Court. Kelly was sworn in as the Virginia Court Clerks’ Association President in September 2024 and will serve in that capacity for the next year. Kelly was appointed … Continue reading Clerk’s Association Message
TUTE Spring 2025
From The Unknown Title Examiner If anyone has any soapboxes not in use, please forward them. TUTE is quickly wearing out his supply. Recently, a friend relayed the following situation (which occurred in another state but the situs is irrelevant to the discussion): Buyer acquired a 1.41 acre vacant lot with the intention of building a … Continue reading TUTE Spring 2025
Conversation With Clerks
Welcome to the first Conversation with Clerks. This conversation is with the Fairfax County Circuit Court, Christopher J. Falcon. Christopher J. Falcon took office on January 3rd, 2024 as the Clerk of the Fairfax County Circuit Court. He previously served as Legal Counsel, Deputy Clerk and Civil Division Supervisor for the Arlington Circuit Court Clerk’s office. … Continue reading Conversation With Clerks