Common Closing Issues – Part II

In the final part of our series, we explore some of the remaining routine scenarios agents will face when closing real estate transactions. INTRODUCTION In the first two editions of this series, we tackled several scenarios faced by agents during the real estate closing process. These issues run the gamut, illustrating how potential problems can arise even when the finish …

FBI IC3 Report, Russian Cyberattacks Put Companies on High Alert

The FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2021 report released in March highlighted an unprecedented increase in cyberattacks and malicious cyber activity resulting in a dramatic escalation in financial losses. In 2021, IC3 received 847,376 complaints from consumers and businesses a 7% increase from 2020 with potential losses exceeding $6.9 billion. Most significantly for the title insurance industry, business email …

Are You e-Ready? Broadcast Your Capability Through the New MISMO Exchange

After years of incrementally slow progress on the e-mortgage front, the pandemic succeeded in catapulting the mortgage and settlement services industry into the digital mortgage and closing age in short order. As state legislatures quickly rushed through a variety of pending remote online notarization (RON) laws, more agents jumped at the chance to add this capability to their tool belt. …

Team Spotlight: Bob Grohol Mixes Title and Technology

After a rich career split between technology and title, Bob Grohol has a unique perspective on the title industry particularly on digital trends reshaping the field.   Bobs career path through these industries began in 1982 when he started working at a computer shop. This early professional interest stuck, and Bob would work in the field for the next …

Economic and Real Estate Outlook Cloudy but Not Stormy

The real estate market has cooled over the past quarter, as buyers face mounting economic pressure from inflation, bloated housing prices, and escalating interest rates. But the question in most forecasters minds is what will happen in 2023 with inflation and interest rate projections in as yet unknowable territory. Although experts are all over the map when it …

FBI Pivots Investigative Energy to Real Estate Wire Fraud

In a November report to Congress on business email compromise (BEC) and real estate wire fraud (REWF), the FBI announced enhanced efforts to put the brakes on what has become one of the most financially damaging crimes in the United States. According to the FBI report, BEC has been the largest dollar loss by victim crime typology reported to IC3 …

Tips to Enhance Your Strategic Plan

When you look at companies that have succeeded in turbulent times you, will find those that embrace strategic planning fare the best. Strategic planning is found to have a positive impact on organizational performance and is a must for enhancing an organizations capacity to achieve its goals. As a title professional, now may be a good time to review your …

Personalize and Improve Your Customer Experience

In todays battle for clicks and conversions, personalization is key. By now, pretty much everyone knows how important digital technology is to the modern economy. From streamlining communication to improving product lines, digital makes the business world go around. Yet while digital technology has been a net benefit for companies, it has also raised customer expectations significantly. Today, it is …