I've been in the blogosphere preaching to title people, mortgage lenders, and Realtors about payment for services rendered.  I would really fall over someday if an abstractor ever joined the discussion and commented.

I refuse to stiff an abstractor if a transaction does not close.  I expect the buyer/borrower to foot the bill and so I am on a crusade trying to get the industry to collect a fee up front to cover abstract and lien letters or at the very least collect cancellation fees.

I have found that mortgage lenders and real estate agents understand what an appraiser does and they understand that the appraiser's work must be paid.  It's a pass-through fee.  They just don't get it that your work is largely the same.

Yes, you can argure that the title company or attorney should just pay you and it's not your concern where they get the money.  That's a valid argument, but how long in this kind of a market can you expect title companies and attorneys to eat fees and survive?

We have a wonderful opportunity now while the UCI are being discussed and all procesures are being re-evaluated to make a change that will help us all moving forward.

Please, surf around for blogs on this subject or start one yourself.  Your comment, even if anonymous, will help.

Thank you.
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