Source of Title News

A former settlement agent from Wyckoff, New Jersey, was found guilty on all six counts of an indictment charging him with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, tax evasion, and failure to file tax returns. He was convicted following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court. The jury deliberated one and a half hours before returning its verdict.

September New Home Purchase Mortgage Applications Decreased 7.5 Percent Year over Year
October 12 2017

The Mortgage Bankers Association Builder Applications Survey data for September 2017 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased 7.5 percent compared to September 2016. Compared to August 2017, applications decreased by 20 percent relative to the previous month.

Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 12 2017

Mortgage applications decreased 2.1 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending October 6, 2017.

Paradigm Title Group experiences huge growth
October 11 2017

The New Jersey title insurance agency expands into new states, and exceeds quarterly revenue goals for over two straight years.

American Land Title Association Unveils Our Values Initiative
October 11 2017

The American Land Title Association is proud to announce the land title insurance industry’s Our Values initiative, which serves as the industry’s cultural compass and highlight the universal core ideals ALTA members embrace.

WFG Realigns Agency Division to Accommodate Growth
October 10 2017

WFG National Title Insurance Company has realigned its Agency Division nationwide to better accommodate its rapid growth.As part of the move, Barron Buss has joined the company as Senior Vice President to oversee the National Agents group.

New Jersey Realtor Arrested, Charged with Theft and Misconduct
October 07 2017

The Bergen County, New Jersey, Prosecutor's Office Announced the arrest of Peter Live, of Live Realty, Inc., for allegedly taking $345,000 in down-payments from clients and failing to complete real estate transactions.

RamQuest Customers now have Access to New UCD Solution via DocMagic SmartCLOSE Portal
October 06 2017

RamQuest, Inc., a leading provider of title and settlement solutions for the Land Title industry, announced today that its Closing Market digital network is integrated with DocMagic’s SmartCLOSE. Closing Market is an application to application interface that electronically connects business partners allowing each participant to work from their own software.

NATIC names Uthe state agency manager for Virginia and Western Pennsylvania
October 05 2017

North American Title Insurance Co. has added Jared Uthe as state agency manager for Virginia and the Western Pennsylvania region. Uthe will oversee agency operations in those states, while securing and servicing title insurance agents to promote new and increased business activity.

Incenter to Acquire Agents National Title Insurance Company
October 05 2017

Incenter LLC, a leading provider of trading, advisory and fulfillment services for lenders and specialty finance companies, announced that it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire Agents National Title Insurance Company (“ANTIC”).

American Land Title Association Applauds Bipartisan Bill to Help Consumers Understand True Cost of Real Estate Transaction
October 05 2017

The American Land Title Association applauds U.S. Reps. French Hill and Ruben Kihuen for introducing a bipartisan bill to correct the inaccurate disclosure of title insurance premiums on the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures and help consumers understand the true cost of their real estate transaction.

Purchase Apps Up, Refi Apps Down in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
October 04 2017

Mortgage applications decreased 0.4 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending September 29, 2017.

An Ohio Case Highlights the Risks of Leasehold Mortgages
October 01 2017 (subscription)

A lender in Ohio attempted to foreclose on a leasehold mortgage, but ran into trouble when the fee simple owner terminated the lease and claimed that it acquired title without notice of the mortgage. A leasehold mortgage on a terminated lease is worthless. If there is no leasehold interest, the lender has no interest to support a foreclosure. But the mortgage was recorded, and the lender argued that it was sufficient to provide constructive notice.