As a VLTA Member, we invite you to share what you are doing in your community, new jobs, promotions, retirements, milestones, professional accomplishments, good deeds, events, awards, or even a member advocacy story, or while you’re at it! News can include a relevant link to an article, blog post, press release, video, landing page, or … Continue reading VLTA Members in Motion – March 2026
Article by Stephen C. Gregory We hope this column will become a regular feature of this magazine (regular being somewhat undefined at this writing). Because this is the first foray into the wonderful world of title claims, let’s go over a few basics. (Those of you who feel you have a pretty good understanding of the … Continue reading The Claims Corner: Spring 2026
Article by Michael Holden In November, the Ohio state legislature passed Senate Bill 155, promulgating regulations on real estate wholesaling in an effort to address lack of transparency and predatory practices against vulnerable homeowners in this emerging trend. Real estate wholesaling is considered an entry level “investment strategy,” where a wholesaler identifies likely targets, usually … Continue reading New State Laws Seek to Address Lack of Transparency in Real Estate Wholesaling
We’re excited to kick off this Spring 2026 issue of the VLTA Examiner Magazine with our Top 10 most popular articles from 2025 — showcasing the topics and trends that resonated most with the industry, at a glance: “Twenty Helpful Title Research Tools Found Outside of the Land Records” by Michelle L. Statz & Jerry … Continue reading VLTA Top 10 Articles of 2025
By Hayden-Anne Breedlove, CounselOld Republic National Title Insurance Company Fraud has rapidly evolved into one of the most significant sources of title insurance claims, particularly as real estate transactions increasingly rely on electronic communication, remote closings, and digital documentation. Schemes that once occurred sporadically are now routine, sophisticated, and alarmingly effective. I. False Owners and … Continue reading The Claims Corner: Fraud in the Modern Real Estate Transaction and Lessons From Recent Claims
Article by Michael Holden After rumors circulated in 1897 that Mark Twain had died on a trip to Europe, he responded by famously noting in a letter to a newspaper, “The report of my death was an exaggeration.” Similarly, this may be the case with White House Budget Director Russell Vought’s rumored plans to … Continue reading CFPB: ‘The Report of My Death Was an Exaggeration’
The Hidden Recorded Treasure: What's wrong with this Plat? Hint: Read the surveyor’s note to the right. The Hidden Recorded TreasureDiscovered by Julie-Ann Rutledge
Article by John Rinaldi I don’t know whether to be proud of or to be depressed by the fact that I am now at the point in my career when I can use phrases like: “When I started practicing law…” or “When I learned how to do it, we always….” Causing every younger attorney within earshot … Continue reading The Claims Corner: Back in My Day…
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful woman who did very well for herself. She started her own software company and reaped the financial benefits when the company was bought out. She retired young and put over a million dollars down on a new home and carried a relatively small mortgage. Soon after these … Continue reading The Business Of Marriage: The Non-Divorce Attorney’s Impact on A Divorce
Amazing Customer Experiences Start with Your Team: It seems obvious that the customer experience is totally tied to your team but, the real question is how do you keep your team constantly focused on creating amazing experiences? We all know that the most vulnerable point of our business is how your team members respond to … Continue reading Straight Talk Title: Amazing Customer Experiences Start with Your Team
TITLE REPORT CHECKLIST Title Order / Contract Title Report Front Sheet List Sheets for each owner in Chain of Title Treasurer Tax Printouts Commissioner of the Revenue Printouts Copies of Deeds in Chain of Title Copies of Deeds of Trust & Liens Copies of Restrictions & Easements Copies all Plats in the Chain of Title Copies … Continue reading Title Tips & Trivia: Title Report Checklist
It was All Saint’s Eve and I was working. Pope Gregory (I forget if it was the III or the IV) would not be happy. This is supposed to be a day of prayer and atonement, one in which the restless spirits of the dead are calmed by the saintly behavior of the living, but … Continue reading Title Tips by TUTE: Title Through the Interdimensional Portal
You are underwriting counsel for a title insurance company and are asked if you will insure access to a piece of property that your prospective insured purchased at a tax sale. There is no deeded easement but you are advised that you will be furnished with enough information to insure by prescription. You believe that … Continue reading ARTU
Lists of Heirs I Have Known and Loved Spoiler alert! This may descend into a rant. Being raised by a genteel woman of moderately impeccable breeding, it will not rise to the level of Twitter flame wars (or whatever they are called these days, at least I hope not), but Tute begins from a pit … Continue reading Title Tips by TUTE
Hi! My name’s Beaufort Hambuket, and dis is my bucket wheres I gets to talk ‘bout title n’ stuff. Today I wanna talk ‘bout dis new-fangled thing called “Bitcoin”. I hear all sortsa talk ‘bout how bitcoin gonna revolutionize da’ title n’ settlement world. If ya’ ask me (and ya’ are, cause your readin’ my … Continue reading Beautfort’s Bucket
By Stephanie Campbell, Westcor Land Title Insurance Company. Most people are familiar with the James Bond movie “A View to a Kill”. An intense thriller with great music and exotic backdrops. The theme song by Duran-Duran runs through my head every time I repeat the crazy story of one of my many “Tales from the … Continue reading Tales from the Table: A View to A Kill
TUTE: The Unknown Title Examiner I am sure it comes as no surprise to hear your humble correspondent is not the sharpest pencil in the drawer. When no fascinating topic develops from the work in progress, Tute is prone to generic Google searches (I am sure that is © or ® or ™ to some … Continue reading Title Tips by TUTE: You Want Me to Do What???!!!
