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
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
The Claims Corner: Spring 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
The FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Obligation
Article by Anna Marie Sossong *ALERT from Financial Crimes Enforcement Network: In light of a federal court decision, reporting persons are not currently required to file real estate reports with FinCEN and are not subject to liability if they fail to do so while the order remains in force.* For many years, the Financial Crimes … Continue reading The FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Obligation
The History of Hotel Roanoke, Part 1: From Big Lick to Roanoke
Article by Katherine Hunnicutt The moon hung low over the Virginia hills, casting long shadows across the path as Charles W. Thomas pressed onward, the weight of Big Lick’s future tucked securely against his chest. He had left the energetic and decisive voices of the Big Lick elites who had drafted the proposal; here in … Continue reading The History of Hotel Roanoke, Part 1: From Big Lick to Roanoke
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)
Addressing Seller Fraud in Real Estate Transactions Pursuant to House Bill 163
Article by Jerry C. Booth, Jr. Fraud has become increasingly prevalent in our society, and it affects many aspects of our lives. The title and real estate industries are no exception as we also regularly face scams and other fraudulent actions perpetrated by criminals. Seller fraud and impersonation has become increasingly common in our industry. … Continue reading Addressing Seller Fraud in Real Estate Transactions Pursuant to House Bill 163
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
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
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
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
Idem Sonans
Article by by Kevin T. Pogoda, Esq. The rule of idem sonans (Latin for “sounding the same”) can be traced back to the 1851 English common law case of R v. Davis,[1] which provided: If two names spelt differently necessarily sound alike, the court may, as matter of law, pronounce them to be idem sonantia; … Continue reading Idem Sonans
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?
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
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