As we enter the final weeks of 2025, we have an opportunity to look back at the overall real estate market and the title insurance industry. With the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates this year, mortgage rates have decreased ��� but nowhere near the lower rates seen in 2021. We also saw home price increases continue to slow down in many markets¹. In September, American Land Title Association² reported that title insurance premiums increased, but paid title claims had also increased when compared to the same time last year. Here are a few areas that contributed to title claims in 2025.

Scams

First, fraud scams continue to be an expansive and expensive thorn in our industry���s side. With scammers leveraging social engineering and devices to manipulate, influence, and deceive, they continue to prey on what they see as a lucrative market and a quick payday. From impersonations to falsifying documents, scammers are negatively impacting those who are legitimately trying to sell property, buy property, refinance, or just trying to enjoy their property in peace. As an industry in recent years, in my opinion, it appears there has been an increase in the number of submitted title claim notices involving lawsuits challenging the validity and veracity of recorded real property instruments or the authority of a person to execute documents on behalf of a person or entity in the chain of title. We suggest that you and your office continue to be on guard and mindful of the many fraud schemes impacting your community and communities nationwide, as the use of these schemes is not slowing down.

Lender and its foreclosure

Also, we���ve seen an increase in lender claim submissions in connection with preparing to foreclose. Most lenders obtain foreclosure title search reports before starting the foreclosure process. These reports identify matters that are to be addressed before or during the foreclosure process. Title matters include areas such as delinquent back taxes, lack of recorded release, satisfaction or cancellation of a mortgage / deed of trust / security deed, a person���s ownership interest that has not been conveyed; or, if an owner is divorced or deceased, no recorded information on how the property was dealt with. Also, there are such issues as homestead and marital rights that may impact the enforceability of a mortgage on the property. For example, in some states, if the property is titled in one spouse���s name but the mortgage is not executed by both spouses and a disclaimer of interest is not executed, there may be a title issue with the mortgage. Just like reading a fascinating book, the county land record tells the story of the property���s title. Thus, if there is missing information in the record that imparts constructive notice to others, such as breaks in the chain of title and unsatisfied liens, the story is not complete.

Legal Right of Access

In addition, the department saw issues involving a lack of legal right of access. On occasion, an incorrect presumption was made that an abutting road, appearing on a map or survey, provides a legal right of access to the property. It is unclear whether one county also found the matter to be a growing problem and thus instituted an ordinance in 2024. The ordinance requires that ���any instrument recorded in the Official Records of Highlands County, Florida, which grants, conveys, or transfers fee simple ownership in and to real property shall be accompanied by an affidavit or affidavits verifying the roadway status related to the real property.��� If the roadway is not a public road, a dedicated right-of-way, or created by a recorded easement, by court order, or other statutory means, then this may result in a title claim seeking to establish the legal right of access over the private road. As part of the transaction, the property���s right of legal access ought to be reviewed, analyzed and determined.

Missing from the Title Search and Title Commitment Requirements Not Addressed

Lastly, this year some claims involved either a title searcher missing a recorded document; or a search and examined document impacting the real property that was not included on the title insurance products or was included but not addressed in connection with the transaction. Examples include missed easements, missed and valid use restrictions involving the property, and unreleased partial claims mortgages, revolving line of credit mortgages, or similar mortgages that are either incorrectly presumed to have been included with another mortgage or incorrect reliance on unverified information given by the debtor without obtaining written confirmation directly from the lender. To help avoid these issues, provide the title searcher and examiner with the correct information on the property involved and the full names of the parties in the transaction so the best title search results are provided. Also, trust in your own due diligence and not rely solely on information provided to you by a party.

Conclusion

Even though this is not an exhaustive list, it is no surprise that all the above title claim areas can be prevented through your efforts and diligence.

We appreciate our partnership with our title agents. You are on the front lines every day. As skilled title professionals, we know that buyers, sellers, and lenders value your role in protecting their investment and the American Dream of homeownership.

Resources:

¹ Ashley Harrison and Angelica Leicht. November 5, 2025. Housing Market Predictions For 2025: When Will Home Prices Drop?

²American Land Title Association. ALTA Reports Q2 2025 Market Share and Title Insurance Premium Volume.  .

³ Highlands County, Florida Clerk of Courts. Roadway Status Affidavit at Property Transfer.  

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Understanding Cultural Paradigms

Organizational culture can be viewed through various lenses. Some companies focus on performance, where results and individual achievement drive culture. Others adopt a purpose-driven culture, aligning actions with a higher mission or set of values. At 做厙勛圖, we���ve found our greatest strength in fostering a culture of trust. But it���s important to note that no single cultural paradigm is inherently better than any other. The key is to identify which approach aligns most closely with your organization���s values and mission.

In the title insurance industry, relationships are at the heart of everything we do, and that���s why we ultimately decided to build our culture on the foundation of trust. Behind every transaction is a person or family entrusting us with their dreams and future. Trust is the cornerstone of these relationships, enabling us to be part of critical moments in people���s lives. Without trust, we���re merely facilitating transactions; with it, we���re partnering in something much more significant���helping people pursue the American Dream of economic prosperity.

The 3Cs: Our Foundation for Trust

To cultivate this trust, we���ve centered our culture around three key principles we call the 3Cs:

1. Care for Others: Genuine care involves truly listening and understanding the needs of those we serve���our agents, partners, and colleagues. It���s about making meaningful connections and offering assistance that can have a positive impact on someone���s life.
2. Competency in Our Work: We believe in continuous improvement. By staying informed, honing our skills, and striving for excellence, we ensure that we���re equipped to meet the needs of our clients and each other effectively.
3. Commitment: This is about reliability and follow-through. Doing what we say we will do, meeting our obligations, and being dependable in every situation reinforces the trust others place in us.

These principles aren���t just corporate ideals. We try to live them as daily practices that guide us through our interactions with our agents and fellow team members.

Intentional Culture Building

Good culture doesn���t happen by accident. It takes intention, reflection, and a willingness to change. A few years ago, we took an important step by developing a booklet describing our company culture. It���s essentially a collective expression of what makes 做厙勛圖 special on our best days. It includes our Purpose, Mission, Vision, Core Value, and Guiding Principles. Simply stated, the ���做厙勛圖 Way��� is: caring about people by providing uncommonly valuable help that delivers a positive impact. This articulation of our shared beliefs has provided a compass for our actions.

If you haven���t had the opportunity to define what���s most important about your culture, we���ve found that the exercise can be incredibly valuable. For us, it wasn���t about creating something new, but rather about uncovering and articulating what was already true about our organization. We found that the project gave us a rare opportunity to talk to our team, reflect on shared experiences, and capture our unique narrative.

Beyond defining culture, it���s important to take steps to live it more deeply and consistently. To support this, we established an Employee Engagement Team to ensure that culture remains an ongoing focus. This group serves as a conduit for feedback and ideas, helping culture rise from every level of the organization.

Other important initiatives included creating a set of Management Rules of the Road, which outlines what employees can expect from their managers. Additionally, our culture has been strengthened through regular Outward Mindset seminars from the Arbinger Institute. The goal of these sessions is to help team members understand that other people���s needs matter just as much as their own. They encourage collaboration, break down silos, and remind us to work together.

Steps to Building a Great Culture

Every company, regardless of size or industry, stands to benefit from a strong, intentional culture. Based on our experience, here are a few steps that we hope may be helpful in your own cultural journey:

1. Define Your Core Values: What principles are non-negotiable for your organization? Whether it���s trust, innovation, customer focus, or something else entirely, clarity here sets the foundation. A key aspect in defining your values is also in prioritizing them. It���s easy to say loyalty, honesty, and integrity are the values of the company. What happens when these values are in conflict?
2. Engage Your Team: Culture is a collective endeavor. Regularly involve team members at all levels in discussions about values and practices. Their insights can be surprising and powerful.
3. Be Intentional: Develop initiatives, programs, and traditions that reinforce your values. Solicit feedback from employees to ensure alignment and celebrate your cultural successes regularly. Values are most reflected in an organization based on who gets promoted or rewarded.
4. Measure and Reflect: Utilize tools like surveys, focus groups, or external certifications to assess your cultural health. Benchmarks provide valuable insights into where you���re succeeding and where there���s room to grow. For example, at 做厙勛圖, we���ve participated in the Great Place to Work certification process for over eight years, and in 2024, we were recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the��Best Small Workplaces��and one of the��Best Places to Work in Real Estate.
5. Embrace Continuous Improvement: Culture isn���t static. Be open to change and ready to adapt as your organization grows and the environment evolves.

Recognition and Celebration

One great way to promote culture is to share stories of success. At 做厙勛圖, we���ve found tremendous value in communicating and celebrating our cultural achievements during 做厙勛圖 Live!, our bi-monthly all-hands call. My favorite part of the call is a feature we recently added ��� the Winner���s Circle. It���s an opportunity for employees to nominate colleagues who exemplify what it means to work the ���做厙勛圖 Way.��� Most importantly, this peer-nominated recognition is to identify someone who demonstrates one of more of the 3Cs. A nomination takes time and effort, so these nominations reflect the genuine appreciation and respect colleagues have for one another���s contributions. These stories and celebrations help our team feel more connected and aligned with the company���s values.

Looking Ahead and Staying Committed

As we approach 2025 and our 20th anniversary, I couldn���t be more excited about the future of 做厙勛圖. Our imminent partnership with Dream Finders Homes marks an exciting new chapter, creating new opportunities to grow and better serve our agents. Additionally, we are eager to continue innovating with tools like our anti-fraud solution, SecureMyTransaction, which reinforces trust and security in real estate transactions.

As I look ahead, I���m reminded that our success is built on our cultural foundations that enable us to provide value to our agents. While there���s much to be proud of, no culture is ever ���finished.��� It requires continuous care and attention to ensure alignment with our mission and goals.

Whatever cultural foundation you choose���whether trust, purpose, performance, or a blend���it���s important to invest in it intentionally. At 做厙勛圖, we���ve found that fostering a culture of trust has brought great benefits to our team, agents, and partners.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here���s wishing you a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

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