query - does title insurer have a duty to audit agents and report fraud

Would I be too unkind to say that any title insurer who does not audit its agents is a fool?  There may not be a legal requirement to report fraud but I would certainly hope that the title insurer severs its contract with a fraudulent agent.  I think the title insurer would be doing a service to the industry to report the fraud and have the fraudster taken out of the position of trust they enjoy

query: title underwriter cannot find policy

Interesting.  Hard to say whether the underwriter had a failure of good document protection or the agent failed to remit.

Might seem strange but this isn't that unusual of a happenstance.  You see, unless the title insurance agent SENDS a copy of the policy to the underwriter, they don't have a copy.  Title insurance agents create policies after the closing.  They then send the premium along

First American fined in CO

The market conduct examination found 20 separate violations, including: failure to require agents to keep adequate documentation and records in title underwriting files, failure to require agents to remit title premiums within the required contractual period, and failure to provide evidence of written instructions from all necessary parties when First American's agent or direct operation

query: how do I get a copy of my HUD appraisal

A consumer may get a copy of the appraisal used for their mortgage application by making the request in writing and sending it to their mortgage lender.  If you do not get cooperation from the mortgage lender you can request help from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau or the state mortgage licensing agency.  In Pennsylvania that would be the PA Department of Banking.

query: difference between a title commitment and title policy

A title commitment is like a mortgage commitment letter.  It's an approval to insure where the mortgage commitment letter is an approval to lend.  Both commitments set out terms and conditions.

A title commitment is typically in a standard format created by ALTA - American Land Title Association.  There is a jacket which gives definitions and other important information.  Schedule A sets out

comments went into spam can

Oops.  Sorry to commentators whose comments went into my spam can!  It's fixed and those awaiting moderation have been posted.  ;)

read your mortgage document before you sign that oil and gas lease

Did you know that your mortgage contains promises made by you to protect the collateral and NOT to store hazardous waste on the property?  If you sign an oil and gas lease without the approval of your mortgage lender you may be in default and subject to foreclosure - even if you are making your mortgage payments on time.

mobile home titles

If you are the owner of a mobile or manufactured home, please take the time to verify the status of the vehicle title.  Get evidence in hand showing that you either have the vehicle title or certificate of origin or evidence of surrender.  Having no hard evidence in place may impact your ability to refinance or sell your property.

Every year we work on transactions which are delayed while the

ah...the semicolon

Here's a blurb concerning a judicial interpretation of the Dodd Frank Act based upon the use of a semicolon:




Judge Altonaga ruled that the plain language of Section 1400(c), in
particular, the semicolon in the title, indicates that “Effective Date”
is not used as a subcategory of “Regulations.” Rather, the semicolon
“suspends the thought regarding regulations and begins a new thought

Jan is curious.

I know someone that recently borrowed against a home his
mother owns and has title to.  The father is deceased.

The son has been living in the home for many years.  Even
while the father was still alive.  Now they have found it necessary to

borrow against the home’s equity, I’m sure that’s
due to the mother’s old age illnesses and the son’s inability to
work.   They

borrowed over $86,000.00