I think it will return to normal.  Everyone working as hard as they can to earn a living.

I agree the abstractors may be hit the hardest this time.  From an east coast perspective, this time is different.  With all the refinancing there's probably not a property left without a lender's policy issued between 2003-2007.  Means shorter searches and less pay. There's also the concern that lender's may go back to the old "Let's save money 'for our customer.' Have the appraiser do the title bring down for us and waive a new title insurance policy.  It's a HELOC or we've got an old policy and nothing happened."  I am NOT saying this is wise, smart or a good idea.  It's really stupid, but it's been done before, will be done again and no one's ever accused greedy lenders of being smart.  The hungry appraiser takes the work to pay the bills and, as long as the borrower makes the monthly payments, no one cares.

Kevin - Keep up the work.  The lastest infiltration is the DIY loan.  Borrowers get loan package, have X days to sign and "find your own notary."  Documents requiring notarization are clipped together with an instruction cover sheet, "For notary.  Witness required where marked."  It works.  It's cheap.  The borrower finds a notary and pays $15-20 (3-4 notarizations) to the notary ... or finds one of CT's 53 thousand notaries who will notarize for free for co-workers or customers.