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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
