May, 2011 - MyTicor

Using Facebook On the Job… with Facebook Lists

On May 23, 2011 / Blog, Technology

Have you ever signed in to Facebook and wished that you could filter or sort the newsfeed based on friend type (i.e. family members, coworkers, school friends, customers, etc)? The Facebook Lists feature provides users with an easy way to create segments for various types of friends and create security settings based on those lists.

Once you’ve created a list, you can filter your newsfeed to display only the posts from people in that particular list. And vice versa, the lists feature also allows you to post content that is seen only by people in particular lists.

This is a huge time saver if you’re goal is to organize your friends and connect with different groups of Facebook friends at different times.

Facebook on the job…
It goes without saying that throughout the business day there may be times when it’s more appropriate to connect with certain groups of friends and not others. For example, during the course of the day at Ticor, I may want to pay less attention to Aunt Tilly (who just discovered Farmville) and instead be more intentional about listening to Real Estate professionals and what’s important to them (No offense to Aunt Tilly!). The Facebook lists feature makes this a cinch.

In a nutshell, the Facebook lists feature:

Helps organize friends into groups
Helps reduce potential distractions during the work day
Provides a means for sharing content privately with certain groups
Saves time!

To find out how to create Facebook lists, click here.

By the way this is one of the many things we cover step-by-step in our Facebook Setup and Strategies for Real Estate Clock Hour Class.

Check out our clock hour classes here!

Enjoy!
Matt Sweet
@sweetmd

Behind the Scenes: A Video Tour of our History-Filled Backplant

On May 17, 2011 / Blog, Property Info - Customer Service

[Note: Our Renton office has relocated to Columbia Center, Downtown Seattle]These days, most of the real estate property research our title examiners and customer service team does for you involves sophisticated online databases and image libraries using up-to-the-minute technology. But occasionally we rely on a much older technology as we research the chain of title for real properties in King, Pierce, and Snohomish, WA.

Since the early 1980s, recorded documents have been compiled into searchable databases. We can search by legal description or by name to find deeds, easements, and other public-record information. Most documents recorded since 1990 have also been imaged, so we can usually send you legible copies of recent documents very quickly.

However, sometimes we need documents that are too old to be found in these more recent databases. For those, we turn to our backplant. Backplants are a series of log books that show all recordings in a county. Our records go back to the mid-1800s. Depending on the county, these logs may be on microfilm or may be large hand-written books.

As you can see in the backplant video tour below, the hand-drawn maps and fine penmanship evoke feelings of appreciation for the care, skill, and artfulness of the many people that crafted and maintained these books so many years ago.

Ticor Title Company Fact Sheet 1Q 2011

On May 14, 2011 / Blog, Title Insurance

We don’t like to boast, but occasionally we like to remind our clients of the financial strength behind our brand. If your real estate title is insured with Ticor, you’re on solid ground. Below is a press release from our parent company FNF for 1Q 2011.

Ticor Title is a member of the Fidelity National Financial family of companies, which is a leading provider of title insurance, mortgage services, specialty insurance and information services, and is the nation’s largest title insurance company through its title insurance underwriters. Collectively, Ticor Title and the FNF underwriters issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States.

The first quarter of 2011 represented our strongest quarter in a number of years, as our direct operations benefited from strong refinance closings early in the quarter and consistent closings throughout February and March.

Another contributing factor was the continued robust nature of our commercial title business, which saw revenue grow by 35% over the first quarter of 2010. We are encouraged by the strong start to the year in the commercial business and based on our pipelines, are becoming more and more confident that the commercial market will continue to yield positive results in 2011.

We always work hard to maintain industry-leading margins even in the face of cyclical headwinds, and this quarter is a reflection of our success with those efforts. The loyalty of our clients, the diligent effort of our employees to be the best in the industry, and the commitment of our local managers to provide decisive leadership in their respective markets significantly positions FNF for a strong 2011.

Open publication – Free publishing – More escrow

Thank you from Ticor Title

On May 10, 2011 / Uncategorized

We want to express our appreciation to our clients both new and old. Every transaction has a dream or story behind it and we are ever grateful to provide title insurance and escrow services for so many in the Puget Sound area.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way… Or not! Probates & Real Estate Explained.

On May 3, 2011 / Blog, Title Insurance

Probates & Real Estate Mom just passed away, and the family wants to sell the home. This is a listing with a motivated seller. But who actually owns it?

Of course, the family home (if it isn’t in a trust) will automatically go to the surviving spouse without the need for a probate. But, what about a married person who owned the house as separate property, or Mom who was widowed? Washington law (RCW 11.04.0115) identifies heirs at law who inherit when there is no will, including (in this approximate order) the spouse, children and grandchildren, parents, siblings and children of siblings.

A formal probate allows for the protection and orderly distribution, after payment of debts, of the assets of the deceased to heirs and/or devisees or a sale to a third party by the personal representative. Nonetheless, even though Washington probates are not expensive or time consuming, they often are not done. But how else will the buyer know that all of the title interest is properly conveyed? What if there are valid liens (including estate taxes or state Medicaid reimbursements) against the estate that would otherwise be paid in probate? That is where the “lack of probate” concept comes into play.

Vesting

Title to property of a decedent immediately vests in either devisees (if there is a probated will) or the heirs (if there is no probated will), even if the identity of those parties are unknown at that time – with or without a will, and with or without a probate.

With or without a will

When someone dies, that person will be either testate (with a will) or intestate (without a will). Both can be probated – but it’s not required, even though RCW 11.20. 010 says a will must be filed with the county superior court.

In order for the title company identify who these people are, or whether there is an unprobated will (which could give an interest to a non-relative or charity), it uses an affidavit. The affidavit, usually signed by a relative, must identify all these interests – including the estranged prodigal son who’s been incommunicado for years. It says when and where the deceased lived and died, and identifies any unprobated will or foreign probate. Finally, it states whether Mom received Medicaid benefits, and identifies the value of the estate for estates tax purposes. Based on this information, and deeds from all potential claimants and releases of liens, the title company can usually assume the risk of future claims and insure clear title in the buyer.

Keep in mind that this can be used when the will is probated in another state. Since foreign courts don’t have jurisdiction in Washington, an ancillary court action can be opened in Washington Superior Court that essentially blesses what the foreign court orders. Again, however, that expense and bother can be avoided with the lack of probate approach.

The Realtor® can help the family gather this information and get it to the title company so that the closing can take place and everyone is happy.

Monthly archive for May 2011