Article by Julie Ann Rutledge Looking back on America’s 250th Anniversary, we embrace the opportunity to understand the leaders who helped to mold our country. Hindsight offers us an opportunity to review how their life experiences influenced their leadership approach. George Washington, who was born on February 22, 1732, and lived until December 14, 1799, … Continue reading America’s 250th Series: George Washington – Surveyor, The Early Years
Article by Katherine Hunnicutt From Moomaw’s ambitious midnight ride in 1881 that put Roanoke on the map, to the glamorous hotel that survived fire and the Depression to host celebrities and society elite alike, the history of this year’s VLTA Convention location is nothing short of fascinating. And when a storied history stretches well over … Continue reading The History of Hotel Roanoke, Part 3: Phantoms in the Ballroom
Article by John Mashack Introduction A title agent screens every party in a commercial real estate transaction and finds no OFAC hits. Days before closing, newly discovered ownership information reveals that the seller is indirectly owned by sanctioned parties. Most title professionals understand the importance of screening parties against the Office of Foreign Assets Control's … Continue reading Understanding OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule: Why Title Professionals Must Look Beyond the SDN List
Welcome to the first installment of the 3-part series. by Kevin T. Pogoda, Esq.[1]First VP & Virginia State Manager, ORNTIC INTRODUCTION Judgment liens are the most common title defect to address when evaluating title work. But common does not mean simple—judgment liens can be tricky, especially considering the variety of contexts in which they occur. … Continue reading Underwriting Judgment Liens in Virginia
Article by Michael Holden Consensus: ROAD to Housing Act offers substantial relief, but more work needed Following years of research and months of negotiations, both chambers of Congress passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in June, paving the way for critically needed reforms that will help lower housing costs, improve housing supply, and … Continue reading Ramblings of a Title Man
Article by Sharron Kennovin As I approach the conclusion of my term as President of the Virginia Land Title Association, I find myself reflecting on all that we have accomplished together as a Board. Serving in this role has been both an honor and a privilege, and I am proud of the progress we have … Continue reading President’s Message
Article by James L. Windsor In Virginia, a party claiming adverse possession "must prove actual, hostile, exclusive, visible, and continuous possession, under a claim of right [or color of title], for the statu-tory period of 15 years." Grappo v. Blanks, 241 Va. 58, 61 (1991); Heath v. Est. of Heath, No.1276-22-2, 2024 Va. App. LEXIS … Continue reading Adverse Possession Under Virginia Law: A Primer
Article by R. Michael Smith Correction from the author: George Mason did not teach Thomas Jefferson at William & Mary. William Small was his principal instructor. Jefferson and Mason were contemporaries who participated at the same time with Virginia's Committee of Correspondence. My stepson, a graduate of George Mason University, spotted my error. I thank … Continue reading Did Thomas Jefferson Believe in a Right to Property?
Article by Juanita M. Little-Lyons, Technical Advisory Committee Chair, Virginia Association of Notaries (VAN) Over the last decade, deed fraud (fraudulently stolen real estate) has increased nationwide, resulting in millions of dollars of loss for property owners. Prior to the 2025_26 Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Housing Development Authority was granted authority to research the … Continue reading New Virginia Notary & Settlement Agent Requirements (2026-2027)
Article by James Gosdin Welcome to the first installment of the 3-part series exploring the 150th Anniversary of Title Insurance. An essential characteristic of title insurance, and one that was critical to its growth, is strict liability. The Insured is not required to establish that the title insurer was negligent in its own examination in … Continue reading What Is Title Insurance on Its 150TH Anniversary?
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
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
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)
Article by Jerry C. Booth, Jr. The Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act (Virginia Code § 64.2-621 et seq.) became effective on July 1, 2013. It was enacted to permit Transfer on Death Deeds (“TODD’s”) which can be used to transfer title to real estate after the death of the owner to a named … Continue reading Transfer on Death Deeds in Virginia
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
The Hidden Recorded Treasure: What's wrong with this Plat? Hint: Read the surveyor’s note to the right. The Hidden Recorded TreasureDiscovered by Julie-Ann Rutledge
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
