Earlier this week, three of Ironclad Title’s attorneys received appointments to various Boards and Committees in the American Land Title Association (“ALTA”). Jack Robichaux, Jared Watson and Justin Brashear were each appointed to serve on the ALTA Government Affairs Committee, who is tasked with in-depth involvement in the legislative processes, communication with legislators and their staffs, and recommendations to the ALTA Board of Governors concerning policy positions for the Industry. All three are also members of the ALTA Title Action Network, which is the grassroots campaign arm of the land title association.
In addition, Mr. Robichaux was appointed to serve on the Title Industry Political Action Committee, which exists to promote the land title industry in government. Lastly, Mr. Robichaux is expected to receive his official three year appointment to the Executive Committee for Agents and Abstracters within ALTA at the Annual Convention in Boston this October.
Ironclad Title is exceptionally proud to have such wonderful recognition by the American Land Title Association, and we are happy to be in a better position to protect the interests of our local community on the National level.
To learn more, please visit our website, or give us a call. #IroncladTitle #YouDeserveAGoodDeed
WHAT EVERY REALTOR SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TITLE INSURANCE
Make sure all of your clients are protected
You’re a real estate agent, so you know that buying a home can be overwhelming for many of your clients. Homebuyers can easily feel confused and frustrated by the mounds of paperwork they have to sign. Plus, all the fees associated with closing can sometimes be a surprise even to an experienced buyer.
Owner’s title insurance is one of those items often misunderstood by homebuyers at closing, yet its value is tremendous. As an important advisor to your clients, you are in the position to help them understand the value of owner’s title insurance and the dangers that can be incurred without it.
What is title insurance?
Owner’s title insurance is a policy that protects homebuyers’ property rights. For the same reasons that the bank requires a lender’s insurance policy, a homebuyer obtains owner’s title insurance to protect their legal claims to the property.
How it protects your clients
Say, for example, your client recently purchased a new home from a builder, but the builder failed to pay the roofer. Wanting to be paid, the roofer filed a lien against the property. Without owner’s title insurance, your client would be responsible for paying this existing debt—meaning they’d be paying the roofer out of pocket instead of purchasing something nice for their new home, like new living room furniture. This is just one example of how owner’s title insurance protects homebuyers’ from various significant risks. With owner’s title insurance, your client would be protected from certain legal or financial responsibilities.
Enduring value
The good news is that owner’s title insurance protects homebuyers financially, as long as they or their heirs* own the home. For a low, one-time fee (average of 0.5% of purchase price), homebuyers can rest assured, knowing they are protected from inheriting existing debts or claims to their property.
State regulations and CFPB
Each state government regulates its own title insurance costs. In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulates closing and settlement practices which can impact title insurance. Keep in mind that title insurance industry practices vary due to differences in state laws and local real estate customs. The party that pays for the owner’s title insurance policy varies from state to state, and sometimes even within a state. For more information about title insurance, or to find a company approved to issue an owner’s policy, please direct your homebuyer clients to www.homeclosing101.org.
Free resources for Realtors®
Together, real estate agents, land title insurance professionals and other stakeholders involved in real estate transactions can protect homebuyers and provide them with the peace of mind they deserve during the home closing process.
For more information about title insurance, and to get free resources for real estate agents, visit www.alta.org/realtor.