Uninterrupted Service Providers Rock!!! 

Understanding how to review a chain of title and format the examination utilizing a streamlined methodology is an essential part of the title commitment process. To that end, I am willing to share my knowledge and many years of experience in performing this vital service.

Many states have “Stay at Home Orders” that have made one-on-one interactions with clients next to impossible. You want to protect yourself, your clients, and your associates, but you also have to keep business moving forward. What can you do?

Let’s take a look at some of the strategies title agents are using right now to keep operations moving forward. You can conduct a closing – safely – in your office or on the road.

I've been getting emails about various counties that are only accepting e-recordings right now and don't have staff at the counter to open mail or accept documents for recording. Based on "first to record is first in right" in most states, that is a  big problem. E-recordings will go on first, with no date as to when mail-in or walk-in documents will again be recorded. In attempting to get an answer, there have been no responses yet.

Anyone hear of a "work-around" on this? I presume it is happening all over the country.

"The Hennepin County Recorder’s office is temporally suspending paper document recording until further notice, closing our skyway counter, and only processing electronically submitted documents as of March 17." 

"This change is based on information and direction provided by Hennepin County Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). We want to ensure the overall health safety of both county staff and the general public."

"Documents that are mailed for recording will be held for an indeterminate amount of time before being processed. We will begin processing paper once business returns to normal in Hennepin County."

I assume that other courthouses will follow. I am pushing e-recording and Remote Online Notarization for Closers in my courses.

As a title company, your reputation and very existence relies on the information, documentation and verification of data. Anything less than maximum attention to protecting the security and validity of that data puts your company at risk. Protecting your identity is equally vital.

If you spend any time on discussion boards, you'll see many title agents checking if a client is viable to work with. Worst case scenario, you'll see agents who have already gone through a requested service only to find out later that their client doesn’t pay on time—or at all. Don’t fall into that second category and learn some research tips for vetting a potential client before accepting any work from them.