Question: You are closing a transaction in which Pine Acres is being sold by Jennifer Doubtfire. The title notes reveal that Pine Acres was purchased by Jay Williams in 2002. In August of 2013, Jay executed a properly drafted transfer on death deed (TOD) naming Jennifer as the grantee, and delivered the deed to Jennifer. … Continue reading ARTU 2020 Spring Edition
Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen farther than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.” Heeding these words from Mr. Newton, I interviewed several “giants” in our industry—past presidents of the VLTA. Perhaps by standing on their shoulders, we can get a good perspective on 2020. Everyone wants … Continue reading Looking Ahead and Looking Back
For real estate agents and title insurance professionals, your online reputation can make or break you. This is especially true for local businesses. About 88% of Google searches on mobile devices are for services or agents in the area, which means that a large number of potential clients who are looking for information on local … Continue reading Why Online Reviews Matter – The Obvious (and not so Obvious)
It has been a long day. After your calls to your title insurer’s underwriting counsel, your E&O carrier’s agent and your lawyer, you pulled together your file and retraced your steps. With 20/20 hindsight, it has become clear that you may have made a couple mistakes…… Your first question had been “Why us?” After all, … Continue reading Anatomy of A Claim – Part 2
I had a chance to sit down with Megan Meloon at the VLTA Annual Convention right before she took over as President of VLTA. Megan and I discussed her upcoming term and some of her goals for 2020. One of the first things we talked about is how she is approaching her term in office. … Continue reading The Future of VLTA with 2019/2020 President, Megan Meloon
In today’s highly competitive market, losing employees to competitors can be costly both in terms of the time and money invested in the employee and in the loss of customer revenue when customers follow the employee to their new employer. The dilemma of how to protect against such losses is frequently addressed through the use … Continue reading Protecting Your Investment: Pros and Cons of Non-compete Agreements
It is well known that the title industry is under attack. Many agents are scrambling to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of protecting their finances, business and client data. One key component to reducing risk to your business is training employees on the daily security risks they encounter. Although maintaining a properly secure and … Continue reading The Missing Link – Training Your Employees
Title Examination is a lot like a puzzle. In order to see the big picture, one must first determine the order in which to place the pieces. The process of searching a title is a specific and detailed process. To be a good title examiner, it requires great attention to detail. Title examiners are taught … Continue reading Title Examination Roadblocks – What To Do?
[Queue the Dragnet theme The story you are about to read is true – only the names…and amounts…and addresses…and… you get the picture... have been changed to protect the insureds….] This is your lucky day. Just yesterday you questioned your decision to leave OCD Title, with its endless checklists and procedures (intake, title order, examination, … Continue reading Anatomy of A Claim
The title industry in Virginia has had a mutual indemnity treaty in place since the fall of 2015. This agreement among title underwriters eases the burden of title insurance agents to clear enumerated title objections, for insurance purposes only, by providing an alternative to letters of indemnity. The purpose of the agreement is stated in its introductory … Continue reading A Brief Review of the Virginia Mutual Indemnity Treaty
I recently met with the owner of a large real estate brokerage to discuss the scope and value of offensive security services. It was a great meeting and I thought they really understood the importance of protecting their network and digital assets. As we were wrapping up, they remarked “I don’t think we need anything … Continue reading Securing Your Company’s Cyber Security
Are you prepared in the event of a Disaster? Answer these top 5 questions and you will have the start of an Emergency Plan! What do you need in order to keep your business going? ...You have been given only 15 minutes to get in and out of your office, what would you get? … Continue reading Top 5 Questions: Disaster Recovery & Emergency Planning
What do you see as the purpose of the Technology Committee? Do you think the Technology Committee’s role has changed given this particular time in our history? The purpose of the VLTA technology committee is to draw from experts in the technology industry to provide valuable information and resources as well as provide education to … Continue reading VLTA’s Technology Committee: A Look Inside with Chair, Melissa Ellis
by Julie Ann Rutledge, President Land Title Research, Inc. Proactive Title Defense – Communication is the Key: Errors in the Title Report and Commitment remain the top cause of claims in the title industry today. There are many factors that contribute to the problem of errors and omissions in Title Reports and Commitments. It … Continue reading Due Diligence & Survey Matters
Name: Amanda R. Hayes Company: Redmon, Peyton & Braswell, LLP; RPB Title, LLC Current Position at Company: Associate Attorney/Settlement Agent; Title Agent Current Role(s) within VLTA: Events Committee member Years Active with VLTA: 1.5 years Tell us a little about yourself: I grew up on a pig and corn farmstead in Northern Illinois with my … Continue reading VLTA Member Spotlight: Amanda Hayes
On January 24, 2019 the VLTA will be holding our annual Lobby Day. VLTA Lobby Day connects the Virginia title insurance community with their Virginia legislators. Representatives enjoy speaking with their constituents on whom they can rely for information on proposed legislation. When you register with your home address, we identify participants' Senators and Delegates, … Continue reading VLTA Lobby Day – TODAY!
Todd Condron is a partner with Leggett Simon Freemyers & Lyon, PLC and a Principal with Ekko Title. Todd spends most of his time at the Ekko Office in Vienna, Virginia. Additionally, he is a Northern Virginia Representative for the Real Estate Section of the Virginia State Bar Association. Mr. Condron began his work with … Continue reading Member Spotlight
