Famously said, those who fail to plan, plan to fail, and this could not be more apt than for the title insurance industry, which is prone to predictable and consistent fluctuations. A title company without a scalability plan is going to find itself in hot water whether the market is growing or receding, and in […]
The world is full of scam artists, as title agents know all too well. As the role of the title agent as guardian of the real estate transaction continues to evolve, ferreting out fraudulent actors puts added responsibility on the shoulders of title, escrow and closing agents. To accomplish this commission, agents rely increasingly on […]
Historically, scalability in the title insurance industry meant two things: 1) you work more hours in the busy months and fewer hours in the slow months, and 2) you hire more people in years when the market is on fire, and you fire them when a real estate recession hits. Today, title agencies have far […]
Declaring a Mobile Home as Real Property If you own the land your mobile home is on and it’s permanently attached, you can apply to have it considered Real Property. This straightforward process brings several benefits, as we'll explain. One Simple Tax Bill: Your mobile home and land are taxed together as one item, not […]
New laws and innovative technologies have broadened a title agent’s ability to facilitate real estate transaction closings in a multitude of ways. While in person closings are still the preference of some real estate agents and homebuyers, hybrid closings, eClosings in person, and remote RON closings are growing in popularity and offer title agents an […]
Remember when short sales were going through the roof, and title companies had to set up new departments to manage the complexity of these transactions? As interest rates go up and down, employment opportunities rise and diminish, or factories close down and new businesses open, title agents have to keep their eye on the trends […]
Economic forecasters just a few months ago were predicting that mortgage rates would moderate to 5.8% by the end of 2024, raising hopes that we would see increasing home sales and refinance orders as the year progressed. But now both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are backpedaling on those predictions, releasing more sobering predictions in […]
AI is everywhere, and as integration grows, policies are needed to govern its use in the workplace. AI policies maximize its benefits, minimize risks and ensure responsible practices. Here are some points to think about. Ethical Considerations: With an indescribable amount of data, AI systems need to be monitored and regulated to prevent biases and […]
We stay focused on our processes, but we also watch out for scammers and fraudsters who try to take advantage of our customers and their transactions. Seller impersonation fraud still happens in our industry, but we can work together to stop the madness. The same approach is needed when safeguarding your customers’ transactions. While there […]
Cost containment is critical in a down real estate market, and as we look ahead to a muted market in 2024 and the uncertainties related to the Federal Reserve’s intentions with regard to interest rates, it is imperative that title agents take a hard look at their expenses. Evaluating costs in each department can help […]
We love to make our business plans for the upcoming year – crunching the numbers and considering the possibilities for growth and expansion. Your business plan may include a market analysis, a plan for expanding your offerings to a new vertical such as commercial transactions, marketing plans for reaching your target market, a comprehensive sales […]
Sometimes it’s difficult to believe that it was more than two decades ago – 1999 to be precise – that the Uniform Law Commission approved the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, proposing a model law for the states that would admit e-signatures and electronic records into the law of the land. To date, all 50 states […]
NTS and FAN CEO and Founder Aaron Davis recently shared his thoughts on digital closings and Remote Online Notarization (RON) in what would be the June cover story for MortgagePoint Magazine (thanks, guys!). We strongly encourage you to have a look. The short version is that RON and digital closings are at the threshold of […]
Through the years, Florida has consistently ranked second in the nation for mobile and manufactured housing, with over 10% of Florida housing units identified in those categories. Homebuyers purchasing property that contains a mobile home or a manufactured home face a few additional complications in the transfer of title. With the burgeoning numbers of mobile […]
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Since the beginning of the pandemic, Remote Online Notarization (RON) has swept the country. While this exciting process is quickly becoming the industry standard, some still have safety concerns regarding new technologies. It makes sense for professionals working to combat fraudsters trying daily to harm their clients. As its adoption spreads, it is more evident […]
Here’s some news that would keep anyone in the title industry up at night: Wire and title fraud risk in the third quarter of 2022 reached an all-time high, with 47.9% of all real estate transactions reporting at least one indicator of potential fraud. Even though everyone in the industry is vigilant after years of combating […]
As we head into a softer real estate market in 2023, it may be beneficial to take a good look at how diversified your business is and how you might strengthen the various types of transactions you service in 2023. There are a lot of ways to go, when you think about diversifying your business, […]
By now, you may have heard about “The Chainsaw Brothers,” our own CEO, Aaron Davis, and his brother Nate. When Hurricane Ian devastated the Port Charlotte community in Florida, they felt compelled to show up, toting 30 new chainsaws, ready to get to work helping others to clear the debris and wreckage. But both Aaron […]
Pull up a chair! It’s time to get cybersecurity aware! October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the crew at Florida Network Agency is on board to share tips that can protect your most important asset…YOU! Freddy McFraudster would like nothing more than for us to sit back and let him have his way with […]
As we enter the fourth quarter, it would be pretty hard to ignore the elephant in the room. The market is definitely down. We are correcting after a historic run of refinance volume. But, again, we remain optimistic, as Fannie Mae recently doubled down on its over $2 trillion forecast for overall volume (mostly purchase) […]
The adoption of new innovation often follows a typical curve – slow at first as early adopters jump in to test its viability, then gradual adoption as more businesses figure out how to monetize it to their benefit. Digital mortgages and eClosings have not necessarily followed that pattern. The concept, although universally lauded, has been […]
The title insurance industry has been ripe for mergers and acquisitions since the national underwriters began gobbling up smaller underwriters and agents across the country decades ago. After the Great Recession decimated the real estate industry, picking up the pieces in the title insurance industry led to a lot of shifting of assets and territories […]
Well, it’s that time of year again: conference season! Among our FAN, NTS, PDS and AMD Enterprises brands, we’ll have representatives at quite a few events in the next couple of months. We hope to see you at any of the RESPRO, ALTA, MBA or Florida Land Title Association events. And this year, attending live […]
The FBI and LinkedIn have sent out a warning to users about scammers using the social media platform to conduct cryptocurrency scams. LinkedIn stated in a blog post last week, "While our defenses catch the vast majority of abusive activity, our members can also help keep LinkedIn safe, trusted, and professional. If you do encounter […]
The title insurance business is all about the details. Things are always changing from state to state, county to county and even municipality to municipality. One of the things we take pride in here at NTS is staying on top of the smallest details so that our clients can focus on what they do best—selling […]
NTS is blazing new trails! We’ve recently introduced our RON services into the Texas market! As reported by American Land Title Association, Network Transaction Solutions (NTS), a multi-state provider of title support services including remote online notary (RON) recently introduced its RON services in Texas. NTS has completed nearly 1,000 RON closings in Texas since […]
Why HOA Lien Searches Are High Priority in Florida Florida enjoys a lot of top rankings in the U.S., including the longest shoreline in the lower 48. In recent years, Florida ranked first in the nation for higher education by U.S. News and World Report. Florida also ranks as one of the top two destinations […]
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce on May 26 will consider the ALTA-supported Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic Notarization Act of 2021 (SECURE Notarization Act) as a part of a legislative hearing on various bills. Read the full article now.
It's time for a Team Spotlight! Watch the video now to get to know your NTS representative, Heather Hyde!
NTS’s own Andrea Somers (our operations manager) was recently honored by the Florida Land Title Association for her work as the Chairperson of the FLTA Cyber Security Committee and the committee’s success. FLTA’s president, in presenting the award, complimented the work of Andrea and the committee co-chair, Shelly Mannebach, as “a perfect example of putting […]
Everyone knows a real estate transaction NEEDS a title search, but do you know what’s included in one? Here are 4 key pieces of information reported in an NTS title search. 1. Outstanding Liens This might be the most important information a title search will find. We’ll find out if the property has any […]
One of the number one questions we get at NTS is this one – How do we become a part of the mobile notary team? Just like the Justice League, we don’t just accept anyone to the team. We’re looking for the superheroes of the notary world. If you fit these SUPER qualifications, we […]
Network Transaction Solutions boasts its very own network of eNotaries that are all title professionals to handle your RON eClosing. With our network on your side, let's dispel some of the common myths surrounding RON eClosings: With our title professionals ensuring you have a smooth and thorough closing, you can’t beat the convenience and […]
Mobile Notaries in Florida are an important of the real estate industry. However after the pandemic of 2020, a new type of notary is gaining popularity – RON Notary. RON stands for Remote Online Notarization, the ability to notarize completely paperless documents remotely, from any location. These electronic notarizations become legal in the State […]
For months now, you’ve been hearing about online notarization (RON). We’re proud to be the first company in Florida to offer remote online notarization as a service to title agencies. While it’s certainly a cool new way to complete your closing, the real question is – how can WE help YOU help YOUR customers? Here […]
With Cyberfraud on the rise, title agencies need to be even more vigilant when it comes to payoffs. Recently, more and more agencies are receiving fraudulent payoffs via fax transmission. While the payoffs look authentic, there are small details that, if missed, will cause heartache for sellers, lenders, and title agencies. Take these important steps […]
As the new year rolls in, we all know the most common mistake of 2020 will be: However, that may not be the only mistake in 2020. Be warned, some mistakes could cause legal issues. With the start of 2020 happening, it’s easy for an abbreviated date to be altered. All avenues are urging people […]
We often hear the question, “Is a lien search needed for vacant land?” We always recommend that a lien search be ordered. Vacant lots can hide thousands of dollars in special assessments, or if a home has recently been demolished, there may be an unpaid utility bill under the prior address. By far the most […]
Network Transaction Solutions had the honor of attending this year's Alliant National Agent Summit in Clearwater, FL. We met some awesome agents and had, by far, the best prize to give away! (How doesn't love a floating cooler with money and booze!)
Team Bowling Night Last week, our team went out to celebrate the amazing year we've had. We all met at Family Bowl in Plant City, FL to let our hair down and test our skills at bowling. Let's just say, you could've called us BUTTER because we were on a ROLL!
Today, Network Transaction Solutions (NTS) conducted its first class, and what a successful turn out it was! With the mobile notary industry taking off around the country, NTS wanted to test the waters by sending a class invite to a small group of people. After having full attendance, NTS plans on sending out invites periodically […]
Property Information Report, formally known as Ownership and Encumbrance Report 2017 Florida Legislation has recently revamped Florida Statute Section 627.7843, renaming the “Ownership and Encumbrance Report” to the “Property Information Report”. The report will continue to show the same information regarding the record of ownership for specific real property and any encumbrances that are a […]
5 Refresher Tips for Communicating Effectively Notary agents are always on the go, sometimes working with clients to squeeze in that last-minute closing, as well as working through rescheduled assignments. We are all human; Things pop up, closings get rescheduled or moved locations. However, never forget how crucial it is to communicate effectively. Below we've […]
Have you heard the news?! Florida recently passed a new bill limiting what Condo Associations, Community Associations and HOA’s can charge for an estoppel certificate. The Estoppel Bill SB 398 is effective as of July 1, 2017, and will limit and regulate the following processes: Fee Cap: Caps on the fees an association can charge […]
Additional Form of Identification for Notarization Beginning July 1, 2017 As notarizing is very much a key area of our industry we feel it important to share the below with the membership of the Florida Land Title Association. As passed by the 2017 Florida Legislature and signed by Governor Scott on May 9, 2017, a […]
Did you know that photocopying a military ID, common access card (CAC), or any other similar ID that is prescribed by an agency of the United States is a violation of federal law? If you have a case where you receive a military or similar ID for closing, you may check it but you CANNOT […]
