vltaexaminer Columns, Cybersecurity, Featured, Underwriting

The Claims Corner: Fraud in the Modern Real Estate Transaction and Lessons From Recent Claims

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

vltaexaminer Convention, Events, Featured, In the News, Members

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

vltaexaminer Featured, Uncategorized, Underwriting

The Use of Trusts in Real Estate Transactions

Article by Stephanie Armstrong, Esq.Senior Underwriting Counsel, First American Title Insurance Company Introduction Trusts play a vital role in modern real estate transactions and estate planning. They offer privacy, flexibility, and significant procedural advantages—particularly in avoiding probate and managing complex ownership structures. This article examines the legal foundations of Trusts under Virginia law, their practical … Continue reading The Use of Trusts in Real Estate Transactions

vltaexaminer Featured, Title Examination, Uncategorized, Underwriting

Guide to Judicial Tax Sales For Examiners & Underwriters in Virginia

Article by Jerry C. Booth, Jr. I. Introduction A judicial tax sale is a legal process used to collect delinquent real estate taxes by selling the property through a proceeding in the local circuit court. The procedure is governed by Article 4 of Chapter 39, Title 58.1, et. seq, of the Code of Virginia.  The … Continue reading Guide to Judicial Tax Sales For Examiners & Underwriters in Virginia

vltaexaminer Featured, Legislative, Record Room, Settlements, Underwriting

Why ALTA®/NSPS Surveys Matter in Virginia Residential Real Estate Transactions

Article by Hayden-Anne Breedlove When a buyer, lender, or settlement agent asks, “Do we really need a survey?”, they’re rarely thinking about the downstream risks. Yet for Virginia title professionals, surveys are one of the most powerful tools for uncovering problems before they turn into litigation, coverage claims, or unmarketable title.The American Land Title Association … Continue reading Why ALTA®/NSPS Surveys Matter in Virginia Residential Real Estate Transactions

vltaexaminer Education, Featured, Members, Settlements

Commercial Transactions: Settlement Basics

Article by Kay M. Creasman & John Mashack Overview: Over the years, other VLTA Examiner articles and VLTA seminars have covered the basics of underwriting a commercial transaction, but agents experienced in residential matters now need additional information about the role of the escrow agent, instruction letters, title search issues, ALTA/NSPS surveys and endorsements specific to … Continue reading Commercial Transactions: Settlement Basics

vltaexaminer Featured, Members, Record Room, Uncategorized, Underwriting

The Claims Corner: Will You Please Let Me Pay You?

Article by Michael Chang The title of this article is not something any of us find ourselves saying very often. Most people do not ignore people who are trying to pay them or refuse payment when it is offered. Indeed, it is perplexing and confounding when someone who is owed money is offered full payment … Continue reading The Claims Corner: Will You Please Let Me Pay You?

vltaexaminer Cybersecurity, Featured, In the News, Legislative, Members, Settlements

Title and Settlement Companies Face Substantial Cost to Comply With FinCEN’s AML Real Estate Rule

ALTA Files Amicus Brief Supporting Fidelity’s Challenge to Rule Article by Jeremy Yohe with ALTA FinCEN’s final rule requiring certain industry professionals to report information to the agency about non-financed transfers of residential real estate to a legal entity or trust will have a significant financial and process impact on title and settlement companies. The rule, which … Continue reading Title and Settlement Companies Face Substantial Cost to Comply With FinCEN’s AML Real Estate Rule

vltaexaminer Convention, Education, Events, Featured, Members

VLTA 2025 Annual Convention Lineup

EACH VOICE COUNTS The Virginia Land Title Association (VLTA) is looking forward to our Annual Convention, taking place in just ONE month on October 23-24, 2025, at the Hilton Short Pump in Richmond, Virginia. This year’s convention promises dynamic education sessions, powerful networking opportunities, and plenty of fun as we come together to celebrate the people and progress of … Continue reading VLTA 2025 Annual Convention Lineup

vltaexaminer Events, Featured, In the News, Members

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

vltaexaminer Convention, Education, Events, Featured, Members, Uncategorized

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

vltaexaminer Education, Events, Featured, Members, Uncategorized

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

vltaexaminer Featured, Legislative, Record Room, Settlements, Title Examination, Uncategorized

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

vltaexaminer Cybersecurity, Events, Featured, In the News, Members

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

vltaexaminer Featured, In the News, Members, Record Room, Title Examination, Uncategorized

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

vltaexaminer Featured, In the News, Record Room, Title Examination, Uncategorized

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