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
The Anal Retentive Title Underwriter (ARTU) was the brainchild of Claire Kennett, the first Editor-in-Chief to succeed Bill Johnston, and the idea was born during the GALA Celebration at the 2011 VLTA Convention at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond when Tim Akers became President. Historically, ARTU was presented from the perspective of an Underwriter, and the format … Continue reading A History of the Anal Retentive Title Underwriter (ARTU)
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
Article by Sharron Kennovin Dear Members, As I begin my year as President of this wonderful organization, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to Becky Taylor, our Past President, for her outstanding leadership. Becky has guided us with clarity and strength, and her support has been instrumental in preparing me for the road ahead. Her … Continue reading VLTA 2025-2026 President’s Welcome Message
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
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
Happy Holidays & Warm Wishes from the VLTA! We hope you enjoy some of your favorite VLTA Board Members' responses and "hot takes" to this short but sweet holiday questionnaire. Feel free to ask your friends, family, or co-workers these questions as a holiday ice-breaker during your festivities! Take a recipe or an idea, and … Continue reading VLTA Board Member Holiday Questionnaire
Article by John Mashack After coming up short in last year’s auction, I achieved victory this year and left Virginia Land Title Association’s 2025 Annual Convention at the Hilton Richmond Short Pump with the coveted VLTA Political Action Committee (PAC) trophy. During the auction, a rival bidder surpassed my initial proxy bid. And in my … Continue reading VLTA PAC Trophy: Continuing the Tradition
Article by Maura Vance I had an incredible time attending the Virginia Land Title Association (VLTA) Annual Convention in Richmond in October! Everything about the event, from the moment I arrived until I left, was top-notch. It was a perfect blend of professional development and enjoyable networking. The accommodations were fantastic. Staying right where the … Continue reading Ronald Donn & My 2025 Convention Experience
By K.I.T.T (Dale’s AI sidekick) When the American Land Title Association brought its annual ALTA ONE conference to New York City in 2025, the energy was unmistakable. Industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the country gathered to discuss the forces shaping the future of title and settlement. Among them was Dale Shoop, President-Elect of … Continue reading A First-Timer’s Perspective: Dale Shoop Reflects on ALTA ONE 2025
Article by Richard L. (Rick) Francis Meet the Virginia Court Clerks Association (VCCA) President, Rick Francis. Raised 5mi outside of a town of 660 with no traffic lights even today, Rick is a graduate of Southampton High School in 1974, Wake Forest University in 1978, and the T.C. Williams Law School in 1982. Rick practiced … Continue reading Conversation With Clerks – Meet the VCCA President: Rick Francis
THE VLTA 2025 – 2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS As we step into a new chapter, we’re thrilled to welcome our new leaders, who bring dedication, vision, and expertise to the association. Together, we’ll work toward strengthening our mission, advancing the industry, and supporting our incredible members. Thank you for your commitment to the future of … Continue reading VLTA Convention 2025 Wrap-Up
Why are you a member of VLTA?I originally joined VLTA for the continuing education opportunities – “back in the day” before the title companies started providing such opportunities. I eventually joined the Examiner Committee when that was first started by a former boss, Bill Johnston. I’ve served on the Education Committee, Legislative Committee and back … Continue reading VLTA Board of Director Spotlight: Kathi Weaver
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. S & T Law … Continue reading VLTA Members in Motion – September 2025
Article by Becky Taylor, VLTA President Last year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Virginia Land Title Association. As we entered the 51st year of VLTA, we used the Power of the Past to Focus on the Future. To that end, in September 2024 the Board of Directors met for a two-day Strategic Planning Retreat … Continue reading VLTA 2025 Outgoing President’s Message From Becky Taylor
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?
Article by Genady Vishnevetsky The Digital Pickpocket in Your Computer Imagine a thief who can quietly walk through your office, photographing every password you jot down, every client file you open, and every financial document on your desk—all without you ever realizing they were there. That's basically what an infostealer does to your computer. Infostealers … Continue reading The Silent Threat Targeting Real Estate Professionals: Understanding Infostealers
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
Article by Tina Merritt with permission to reprint, originally published in the THE ROANOKE TIMES. In today’s business world, AI is already a practical tool for small businesses like mine, not just a futuristic idea. It’s changing how we communicate with clients, create marketing strategies, and streamline operations. It is important for Virginia elected officials … Continue reading Ensuring AI Policy Works for Us All
