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
Message from VLTA President 2020-2021 Julie Ann Rutledge
Hello, I am Julie Ann Rutledge, and it has been my pleasure to serve as your VLTA President for the 2020-2021 term. Founded in 1974 with the mission of the Association to advance the efficient and secure transfer of ownership of real property, the VLTA of today is a testimony of the passion and tenacity … Continue reading Message from VLTA President 2020-2021 Julie Ann Rutledge
The Title Agent’s Role in Elder Financial Fraud Prevention – Know the Red Flags and How to Respond
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 40.3 million Americans age 65 and older in the 2010 Census. In 2018, that number was estimated at 52 million, representing 16 percent of the U.S. population. Today’s estimate is 73 million, a number driven by the aging of the Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964. … Continue reading The Title Agent’s Role in Elder Financial Fraud Prevention – Know the Red Flags and How to Respond
VLTA’s Virginia Certified Title Settlement Agent Course
To become licensed as a barber in Virginia, you must complete a 1,500-hour training program and pass an exam. Remarkably, there is no training or exam required to conduct a closing, send documents to record, or manage millions of dollars of other people’s money. A bad haircut will eventually grow out. But no one forgets … Continue reading VLTA’s Virginia Certified Title Settlement Agent Course
What About Those 2021 ALTA Policy Forms?
(Part One) After several years of review and editing, the American Land Title Association will roll out a new portfolio of owner’s and loan policies, a new title commitment, a new endorsement series (47 – Operative Law), and numerous technical amendments to existing endorsement forms to align them with the policies’ changes. This article will … Continue reading What About Those 2021 ALTA Policy Forms?
Are You Operating in a Secure Remote Work Environment? Review These Cybersecurity Measures for Home
With the remote workforce rapidly increasing over the past dozen years, and more companies coming to terms with the necessity of employees working remotely, there is much to consider regarding managing a successful remote team. A remote workforce demands an entirely different structure than operating in a multi-person, shared office environment. It calls for a … Continue reading Are You Operating in a Secure Remote Work Environment? Review These Cybersecurity Measures for Home
Remote Work: Making Sense of Your New Normal
In March of 2020 workers across the country were instructed to pack up and prepare to work from home. This temporary solution, in response to the pending pandemic, resulted in scrambling at all levels and across all industries throughout the United States. Over a year has passed and it is estimated that 25-30% of the … Continue reading Remote Work: Making Sense of Your New Normal
Women in Business Achievement Award
We are pleased to announce that Mary S. Long, President of Stewart Title and Settlement Services, Inc. has been selected to receive a 2020 “Women in Business Achievement Award”. Award winners are selected each year by Inside Business to recognize women who have made a significant impact on their business community and who have served … Continue reading Women in Business Achievement Award