Chicago-based Near North Title Group recently sponsored a “Food it Forward” initiative through its charitable foundation to infuse much needed revenue into local small business communities while honoring healthcare workers and first responders. The title company’s foundation, Near North Giving, contributed matches to gift cards purchased by employees and distributed... Continue reading

Filling a Need Wendy Kelly, a settlement coordinator for Trident Land Transfer in Blue Bell, Pa., helped with an effort by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to provide facemasks during the COVID-19 crisis. A member of the Towamencin Chapter of DAR, Kelly and other volunteers sewed more than... Continue reading

Considered ‘Essential Businesses’ by U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Most Settlement Companies Remain Open During Health Crisis Title and settlement companies across the country have implemented new processes including digital closings to help consumers complete their real estate and mortgage transactions, according to a survey conducted by the American Land... Continue reading

A longtime employee of Surety Land Title in Mobile, Ala., recently experienced a heartwarming closing involving three siblings due to the COVID-19 crisis. The siblings, all in their 70s, inherited some property from their parents and decided to finally sell it. While all three are locals and live close, they... Continue reading

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the United States are looking for ways to help make a difference in their communities. For Caroline Greene, what started as a small effort to make face masks with a couple of friends, grew into a nonprofit organization with more than 50 volunteers sewing... Continue reading

North Carolina-based Investors Title Insurance Co. raised more than $26,000 through its FEED the NEED food drive to support food banks in North Carolina and South Carolina, while Idaho-based Futura Title and Escrow donated $67,400 to various local charities. Feed the Need Over the past two months, North Carolina-based Investors... Continue reading

Texas Regional Title wanted to do something different to recognize their healthcare heroes. So, the Beaumont, Texas-based title company decided on “A Box of Sunshine” care packages. Everything in the care packages was ordered on Amazon and all boxes were handmade. The boxes were delivered on National Nurses Day to... Continue reading

In effort to support individuals and families suffering during the COVID-19 crisis, Washington-based Whatcom Land Title donated $1,500 to the Whatcom County Food Banks. This was equivalent to $20 per company employee. But the giving didn’t stop there. “When our fantastic team heard of the upcoming donation, they immediately asked... Continue reading

ALTA members continue to share wonderful stories of the good deeds they are doing in their local communities. There are three ways you can share your story with us: Email your story to communications@alta.org. Post your story in the comments section on our blog. Share your story on Facebook or... Continue reading

With the industry ramping up their use of remote online notarization, emergency video notarization and remote ink-signed notarization for security instruments, the natural question is when will we see new legal authority to make it easier to electronically sign mortgage notes? The answer is not likely anytime soon. Digital transactions... Continue reading

The response to our #GoodDeeds campaign highlighting the creative processes ALTA members have developed to help get deals closed, as well as the ways members are helping their communities during the COVID-19 crisis, has been inspiring. From virtual dog therapy sessions and helping those in need, to offering remote online... Continue reading

Golfers know how difficult it is to get a hole in one. Two? Nearly impossible for most. Three is monumental, but it’s a feat that former ALTA President John Cathey achieved during his life. While his individual accomplishments on the golf course were outstanding, Cathey’s leadership and dedication to the... Continue reading

Due to disruption related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have issued temporary guidelines for getting documents signed remotely to help get mortgage transactions closed. Both government sponsored entities will now allow the use of services such as Zoom, Skype or FaceTime to help facilitate what would... Continue reading

Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) says in a new report the overall financial strength of the U.S. title insurance sector in 2020 remains stable. The ratings firm does believe some of the independent title insurers with elevated equity holdings and lack of... Continue reading

ALTA members across the country are stepping up and helping deliver for people and organizations in their local communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Take for instance, Ruth Redman MTP of Black Creek Abstract and Title in Shelbyville, Mo. She’s been making masks for her community. She’s made more than 20... Continue reading

Despite executive orders in Pennsylvania causing confusion about the types business functions that can continue during the health pandemic, Title Alliance completed its first closing for a COVID-19 survivor last week. Headquartered in Media, Penn., Title Alliance facilitated the closing for Keith Kline, a sheriff who was buying a new... Continue reading

The first step to applying for a forgivable loan under the SBA Paycheck Protection Program is to find a lender. Because there are limited funds, it’s important to speak to an SBA lender as soon as possible if there are concerns about retaining staff and paying other expenses. Find a... Continue reading

Community is not based on our ability to physically see and touch each other, but rather the connection and care we show for each other—especially in times of need. ALTA would like to hear how you are continuing to serve your customers and communities during this uncertain and unprecedented time.... Continue reading

As a state agency manager for North American Title Insurance Co., Glen Stout focuses on providing agents the latest tools, techniques and services that can assist them in growing their business. You could say providing support is one of his passion’s. Stout has been able to utilize his gift by... Continue reading

Title and settlement companies across the country have modified their closing processes to serve their customers and keep everyone safe in a world of social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to safe closing protocols, companies have developed drive-through or curbside closings as a signing option to handle the... Continue reading

Closing costs for a single-family property averaged $5,749 including taxes—$3,339 excluding taxes—according to data released by ClosingCorp. "In 2019, the U.S. mortgage industry originated more than $2.3 trillion in purchase and refinance loans—a significant year-over-year increase in volume,” said Bob Jennings, chief executive officer of ClosingCorp. “Unlike the cost of... Continue reading

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac modified their single-family seller guides including temporary requirements for remote online notarizations (RON) and powers of attorney. Remote Online Notarization The new RON requirements for both the government sponsored entities go into effect immediately. The requirements between Fannie and... Continue reading

While in high school, Amy Gregory joined a job-training program. Students who landed a business job got the perk of leaving school early. The Brandon, Fla., native answered an advertisement from a local title company. The interview went well, and she started as a part-time receptionist during her junior year... Continue reading

Keeping everyone safe during the closing process is vital amid growing concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19). Among the developments is a new recommended best practice from the National Notary Association (NNA) that both Notaries and signers/borrowers complete a disclosure prior to each individual signing. The disclosures, which will have questions... Continue reading

Recent concerns relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) has generated significant public attention and changes in guidelines prescribed by health officials such as the CDC and the WHO. Title and settlement companies across the country have developed protocols to ensure healthy and safe closings in the wake of this uncertainty. Among... Continue reading