History Holds Its Secrets… The Investigation Continues at the 2026 VLTA Annual Convention Not every mystery begins with a smoking gun. Sometimes, it begins with a deed. This October, step back to 1882 Roanoke, where railroad expansion, hidden records, and long-buried secrets set the stage for The Christmas Current Mystery. Throughout Convention, clues will be … Continue reading 2026 VLTA Annual Convention: Sneak Peek
VLTA Summer 2026 President’s Message
Article by Sharron Kennovin As we move further into the summer months, I hope each of you is experiencing renewed momentum in your business. With school out and families eager to relocate or invest in home improvements, many areas across our state are reporting increased activity. It’s encouraging to see this positive shift, and I’m … Continue reading VLTA Summer 2026 President’s Message
What’s New With ALTA – June 2026
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org. Below you will find five ALTA links listed in chronological order (oldest to newest): New Data Reveals Implementation Challenges Under FinCEN RuleApril 9, 2026Significant operational strain, widespread uncertainty and growing concern defined the title industry’s experience under FinCEN’s Residential Real Estate Rule, according to a new survey from ALTA. … Continue reading What’s New With ALTA – June 2026
VLTA 2026 ALTA Advocacy Testimonials
ALTA Advocacy 2026 Testimonials from VLTA Members & Leadership. The ALTA Advocacy Summit should always remain a vital part of VLTA because it ensures our voices are heard throughout our Capital. For me personally, one of the most meaningful aspects of attending is the opportunity to talk with professionals from across the country and learn about the issues they’re facing in … Continue reading VLTA 2026 ALTA Advocacy Testimonials
Hammers Plus Hearts Equals Homes
Article by Edda Berglund “Bang, bang, bang-OUCH (expletive deleted)!" Turns out, I’m more skilled at making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches than I am at swinging a hammer. But, as my volunteer thumb screamed at me to put aside the unyielding carpentry tool and pick up the butter knife, I realized something important: a Habitat … Continue reading Hammers Plus Hearts Equals Homes
Advocacy in Action
Article by Jeremy Yohe More than 250 title professionals came to Washington, D.C., for ALTA Advocacy Summit in May, setting an attendance record and signaling the industry’s growing commitment to advocacy. The turnout reflected how directly policy decisions in Washington affect title and settlement companies, consumers and the real estate market. Over several days, attendees … Continue reading Advocacy in Action
What Is Title Insurance on Its 150TH Anniversary?
Article by James Gosdin Welcome to the first installment of the 3-part series exploring the 150th Anniversary of Title Insurance. An essential characteristic of title insurance, and one that was critical to its growth, is strict liability. The Insured is not required to establish that the title insurer was negligent in its own examination in … Continue reading What Is Title Insurance on Its 150TH Anniversary?
The History of Hotel Roanoke, Part 2: The Grand Old Lady on the Hill
Article by Katherine Hunnicutt, Welcome to the second installment of this 3-part series. Read part one below: https://vltaexaminer.com/2026/03/31/the-history-of-hotel-roanoke-part-1-from-big-lick-to-roanoke/ Figure 1: “Hotel Roanoke 1910”. Virginia, Bourbonism to Boyd, 1870-1925 (1968). Retrieved from WikiCommons. In the public domain. The late afternoon sun in November of 1989 threw the Tudor-revival peaks of Hotel Roanoke into silhouette, casting the … Continue reading The History of Hotel Roanoke, Part 2: The Grand Old Lady on the Hill
VLTA 2026 Education & Networking Events
May 5, 2026 Regional Event - Virginia Beach Access Matters: Using Surveys to Identify and Resolve Access Issues in Real Property REIN - Virginia Beach, VA | May 5, 2026 | 8:30 - 12:30 PM Instructors: Kay Creasman, Esq., VCTE, VCTSA, Toula Dreifuss, Esq., Julie Ann Rutledge, VCTE This class will address access issues affecting … Continue reading VLTA 2026 Education & Networking Events
VLTA 2026 Annual Convention Preview
October 20-21, 2026 | Roanoke, VAHotel Roanoke & Conference Center What to Expect? EIGHT Speakers & Sessions (8-CE Hours & 7-CLE Hours pending) Monday Trivia Night with VLTA (optional) "Underwriters Unplugged" Dedicated Panel & Discussion Special Guest Speaker from ALTA New Member & First Time Attendee Welcome Reception (by special invite) Tuesday Opening Night Reception … Continue reading VLTA 2026 Annual Convention Preview
VLTA Spring 2026 President’s Message
Article by Sharron Kennovin Dear VLTA Members, I hope this message finds you well and that you have successfully weathered the biting cold of this past winter. It certainly felt like one of the harshest seasons we have experienced in quite some time, and I am personally thrilled to see warmer temperatures and the first … Continue reading VLTA Spring 2026 President’s Message
Life, Liberty and Property (A Series)
The VLTA Explores the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and Contemporary Issues Concerning the Citizen’s Bundle of Property Rights “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty…” and Property.[1] The Declaration … Continue reading Life, Liberty and Property (A Series)
VLTA 2026 Upcoming Events
VLTA 2026 Advocacy Day & Legislative Reception January 20–21, 2026 | Richmond, Virginia Make your voice heard at the Capitol! Join the Virginia Land Title Association for our annual Advocacy Day, a cornerstone event where VLTA members come together to champion the issues that shape our industry and protect property rights across the Commonwealth. VLTA … Continue reading VLTA 2026 Upcoming Events
VLTA Members in Motion – December 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. In Memory of Bea … Continue reading VLTA Members in Motion – December 2025
VLTA 2026 General Assembly Preview
Article by James Pickral On October 23rd VLTA held its first Legislative Breakfast and Roundtable during the 2025 VLTA Convention. The breakfast was well attended by association members and we were fortunate to have a wide array of related industry representation on our legislative panel. Panel members included Delegate Marcus Simon, Delegate Carrie Coyner, and representatives from the … Continue reading VLTA 2026 General Assembly Preview
What’s New With ALTA – December 2025
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or communications@alta.org. FinCEN Delays AML Real Estate Reporting RuleSeptember 30, 2025The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced Sept. 30 it will postpone reporting requirements of the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers Rule until March 1, 2026. ALTA Elects David Townsend as PresidentOctober 9, … Continue reading What’s New With ALTA – December 2025
United States Semiquincentennial
The United States Semiquincentennial, also called the Bisesquicentennial, the Sestercentennial, the Quarter Millennium or America250, will be commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. Learn more about America's 250th: https://america250.org.