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

What’s New With ALTA – March 2025

2025 Market Outlook: Insights and ProjectionsThe economic and housing landscapes remain at the forefront of conversations about growth, stability and opportunity. During an ALTA Insights webinar, Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist at First American Financial Corp., analyzed economic indicators, mortgage rate projects, housing inventory forecasts and market dynamics that will affect title order volume... Seller … Continue reading What’s New With ALTA – March 2025

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

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

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

The Claims Corner: Understanding The Claims Process

“Claim” is not a welcome word within the lexicon of a title office. Without claims, there would be no need for title insurance, yet a claim is something that every title office seeks to avoid, is often panicked to learn about and is loath to admit has occurred. It generally arrives at an inconvenient time … Continue reading The Claims Corner: Understanding The Claims Process

Check Fraud in the Title Industry: Why Banking With the Right Partner Matters

This article was authored by Jessica Sinnott and Robert Pleasants of Old Dominion National Bank. While White Acre Title is the fabricated name of a title agency this narrative was a very accurate depiction of a real-life instance of check fraud in our industry. The news spread through the office of White Acre Title like … Continue reading Check Fraud in the Title Industry: Why Banking With the Right Partner Matters

VLTA Spring 2025 President’s Message

The first day of Spring in 2025 was last Thursday, March 20th! Virginia has certainly had its share of wintry weather throughout the State this past winter, but Spring means warmer weather and longer daylight hours! This also means that the VLTA has been hard at work preparing for and providing the 2025 Regional Education Events in … Continue reading VLTA Spring 2025 President’s Message

Manufactured Housing in Virginia

Manufactured homes in Virginia are regulated by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and must meet strict building codes and safety standards to ensure they are safe and durable. Residents of manufactured homes cite affordability as a key factor in choosing manufactured housing.[1] Overall, manufactured homes offer an accessible and attractive option for those … Continue reading Manufactured Housing in Virginia

FinCEN Rule Highlights Intrinsic Value of the Title Insurance Industry

Provided by Michael Holden, Author of The Ramblings of a Title Man and Vice President of AmTrust Title Insurance Company. In early 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), an agency of the Treasury Department, issued a final rule requiring professionals involved in real estate closings and settlements to submit reports and keep records on … Continue reading FinCEN Rule Highlights Intrinsic Value of the Title Insurance Industry

The Claims Corner: Wire Fraud and Property Theft Claims, and the Insurance Responses

We do love our Realtors, and they are a vibrant and important part of the transfer of property from one party to another. However, a pattern arises in the outlines below, that many of these fraudulent situations are the result of the realtors being involved in the financial part of the transactions. The additional risk … Continue reading The Claims Corner: Wire Fraud and Property Theft Claims, and the Insurance Responses

What’s New With ALTA – December 2024

Chevron is Overruled: How Does This Affect the CFPB and the Title Insurance Industry? The U.S. Supreme Court on June 28, issued a landmark 6-3 decision rejecting the judicial doctrine known as Chevron deference in two cases, Loper Bright and Relentless... ALTA Installs New President, Board of GovernorsRichard Welshons NTP was inducted as ALTA's 2024-25 … Continue reading What’s New With ALTA – December 2024

Virginia Outdoor Foundation Stewardships: The Protectors of Our Conservation Easements

So, you have a conservation easement on your property. Now what? We turned to the Virginia Outdoor Foundation for a more in-depth explanation of what happens behind the scenes. How does VOF determine the suitability of a property for a conservation easement? VOF has a thorough review process for all proposed easements. It begins with … Continue reading Virginia Outdoor Foundation Stewardships: The Protectors of Our Conservation Easements