The place where the waterfront property touches the water (i.e. the shoreline) differs from the other boundaries at the parcel. Upland boundaries have a fixed location. Not so at the shoreline, where wave action, water currents, wind and other natural forces constantly change the shape and location of shoreline. Courts in Virginia recognize that the shoreline … Continue reading Does the Property Line Move When the Shoreline Changes at My Waterfront Property?
FinCen and the GTO Explained
For those of us handling real estate transactions in the Mid-Atlantic, our time has finally arrived. As of April 30, 2022 Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. joined the list of jurisdictions where title insurance companies are required to collect and report information to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) about persons … Continue reading FinCen and the GTO Explained
Medeiros v. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: A Fight for Property Rights
Jim Medeiros lives and works on his rural farm in Wilsons, Virginia, which he posted with “no trespassing” signs to keep hunters and their dogs from disturbing his cattle, chicken, and family home. But he knew something was wrong when the hunting dogs started running freely and frequently across his property and hunters were traipsing … Continue reading Medeiros v. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: A Fight for Property Rights
IN MEMORY OF DOUGLASS W. DEWING, Esq. 10/7/1954 – 4/9/2022
DOUGLASS W. DEWING The VLTA Examiner Committee and Title Industry professionals came together to compile thoughts and memories of Douglass W. Dewing, Esq. to share with VLTA Members, Title Examiners in Virginia, and the Title Industry as a whole. Throughout his career, Douglass W. Dewing, Esq. was a trend setter with his ground-breaking publication of … Continue reading IN MEMORY OF DOUGLASS W. DEWING, Esq. 10/7/1954 – 4/9/2022
Illegal Subdivisions and Title Insurance Coverage
When first told that property is or may be the subject of an illegal subdivision, those who are unfamiliar with the concept of illegal subdivision – especially residential buyers and sellers – may become quite concerned. I have found that the best way to introduce the concept is to acknowledge the shock effect of the … Continue reading Illegal Subdivisions and Title Insurance Coverage
NEW LAWS July 1, 2022
The summaries below were drafted by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services. From the thousands of bills which were introduced during the 2022 session, these summaries include only bills which have been signed into law by the Governor and have been found by this author to be relevant to the VLTA membership. This selection process … Continue reading NEW LAWS July 1, 2022
Urban VS. Rural Title Research – Is There a Difference?
Urban vs. rural title research, is there any difference between the two or is it only that it is in a different location? What about the two makes them different? This was a question posed recently that made me dig a little bit deeper into the background of the two. In my experience when conducting … Continue reading Urban VS. Rural Title Research – Is There a Difference?
Pass The State Exam With VLTA’S Pre-Licensing Course
Virginia Code § 38.2-1800 defines “title insurance agent” as “an agent licensed in the Commonwealth to sell, solicit, or negotiate title insurance, and performing all of the services set forth in § 38.2-4601.1.” Those services include: “(i) the evaluation of the title search to determine the insurability of the title; (ii) a determination of whether or … Continue reading Pass The State Exam With VLTA’S Pre-Licensing Course
General Assembly Wrap-Up
As the 2022 General Assembly Session comes to an end, we are happy to announce that the Legislative Affairs and Advocacy Committee of VLTA has played a vital role in our voices as a title industry being heard this session on a number of issues. In Senate Bill 311 (and House Bill 281), the initial … Continue reading General Assembly Wrap-Up
2021 VIRGINIA ELECTION RECAP
The November 2, 2021, Virginia elections resulted in a sweeping upset, with Republicans capturing all three statewide offices and the House of Delegates majority, ending Democratic unified control of state government. Virginia’s “off-off year” statewide and legislative elections feature the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and 100 seats in the House of Delegates on the … Continue reading 2021 VIRGINIA ELECTION RECAP
What About Those 2021 ALTA Policy Forms? Part II
(Part Two) In Part II of this article, 2021 changes to the title commitment, closing protection letters, Homeowner’s policy, extended coverage residential loan policies, short form loan policies, and endorsements will be discussed. Read Part I here. Specialty Loan Policies This group of policies had few substantive changes. Primarily, these policies were made consistent in … Continue reading What About Those 2021 ALTA Policy Forms? Part II
VLTA Incoming President’s Message From Stephanie Campbell
Hello VLTA Members! I am Stephanie Campbell, Your VLTA President for the 2021/2022 Term.We have faced a great many challenges over the last year and are finally seeing a sense of normalcy return to life and business. Deemed essential by the Department of Treasury, our workloads doubled if not tripled. We were forced to find … Continue reading VLTA Incoming President’s Message From Stephanie Campbell