Ticor Welcomes April Richter, Lisa Christensen and Rhonda Snyder

On March 1, 2019   /   Blog, WesternWA  

HERE WE GROW AGAIN!

We are thrilled to announce the addition of April Richter, Lisa Christensen and Rhonda Snyder to the Ticor Title team.  They each bring a depth of experience and a customer oriented approach to building business that will provide tremendous value to our clients in the Puget Sound region.

April Richter

April works as a closer in our Ticor Title Lynnwood office, with a proactive approach that focuses on stress-free transactions for her clients. 

She started her career in 1989 at an independent escrow firm, later accepting a position with a major title company where she became a top performer closing a variety of transactions including foreclosures, short sales, 1031s, resales, refinances and builder & new construction. With 30 years in the industry, she has seen a lot of changes but one thing remains the same; the importance of positive and proactive communication during the closing process. Her goal is shared by her entire team here at Ticor Title Lynnwood.

April enjoys giving back to those in need, serving the community through Sandwich Sunday in Pioneer Square Park and trips to Mexico with the group Feeding Los Cabos Kids. In her free time she likes to hang out with her rescue dog Chance and enjoys boating when the weather permits.

Lisa Christensen

Lisa is our Branch Manager for Ticor Title Bellevue, where she oversees the Bellevue branch in closing real estate transactions from start to finish. This includes both purchase transaction as well as refinances.

She has worked in the real estate industry in many different capacities, starting in land development, then moving into a paralegal position for a real estate attorney where she was eventually drawn into the escrow department during the mid-90’s refinance boom. Lisa has also owned her own mobile signing company, before taking a job in title and escrow where she obtained her LPO license. While managing one of the highest-volume closing desks she was asked to take on the task of managing her branch. She eventually moved into a state manager role where she discovered her passion for leading, mentoring, and the joy of helping others grow.  Lisa thrives on being detail oriented and loves organization.

Lisa enjoys reading and traveling anywhere there is water and a beach, but most of all spending time with her husband, daughter, pups and friends.

Rhonda Snyder

Rhonda Snyder has recently joined the Ticor Title Sales Team, and she is eager to provide additional support and value on behalf of our Everett and Lynnwood branches.

Rhonda is very well-rounded with over 30 years  in the real estate industry.  She has experience as a Realtor, Managing Broker and Owner of a real estate company as well as working in title and escrow services for over 15 years. She has a vast knowledge of our business and leverages that knowledge to help our partners accomplish their goals

In Rhonda’s free time she enjoys cooking, golfing, and traveling to warm places. 

April Richter
LPO / Escrow Closer 
425-434-4012

april.richter@ticortitle.com
19020 33rd Avenue W 
Suite 550
Lynnwood, WA 98036

Lisa Christensen
Escrow Branch Manager / LPO / Escrow Closer
425-586-6955

lisa.christensen@ticortitle.com
11400 SE 8th St Suite 110
Bellevue, WA 98004

Rhonda Snyder
Sales Executive
425-327-5834

rhonda.snyder@ticortitle.com
19020 33rd Avenue W 
Suite 550
Lynnwood, WA 98036

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How we’re Improving and Securing the Escrow Process

On January 25, 2019   /   Blog, WesternWA  

We are excited to introduce two one-minute animated videos that benefit both consumers and industry professionals.  The brief videos are designed to help buyers and sellers understand their role in the beginning stages of an escrow transaction as well as raise awareness of fraud-prevention measures we employ. When a new transaction is opened with Ticor Title, our escrow teams send the videos via text message to the buyers and sellers on that transaction.

When a new transaction is opened with Ticor Title, our escrow teams send the videos via text message to the buyers and sellers on that transaction.

If you’re a buyer or seller in the beginning stages of a transaction, these videos are for your benefit, to orient you for success. If you’re a Real Estate industry professional, please encourage your clients to take one minute to watch their video. There are two important points in the videos that will help buyers/sellers have an optimal closing experience.

Secure Emailing & Fraud Prevention

Secure correspondence is vital to preventing wire fraud. And with added protection comes added sophistication.  A member of our team will contact the buyer/seller with instructions to register for secure emailing, which provides protection throughout the transaction. The few moments it takes to set up secure correspondence may make the difference between success or losing a life’s savings. 

How We Can Work Together to Expedite the Transaction

At the open of a transaction, buyers and sellers receive a package from our escrow team to complete, which helps us gather the necessary and required information to perform our services. Buyers and sellers are encouraged to please return the completed package as soon as possible so we may process the file expediently.

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Pre-Closing Checklist for Home Sellers

On December 10, 2018   /   Blog, Escrow, Spokane, WesternWA  


Our team of experts are committed to providing home sellers with clear communication, consistency, and personalized service throughout the escrow process. But the exciting process of selling a home involves so much more for the homeowner. The checklist below can help reduce stress and organize the selling process for our valued clients.

Immediately Upon Acceptance Of The Contract

  • Follow-up on any terms specified in the contract (clearance letters, providing homeowner association paperwork, etc.)
  • Make any repairs specified in the contract
  • Provide the current mortgage loan(s) information and/or equity line of credit information to your agent (this should include your account numbers, contact information for the lender(s) and your personal information)

Deliver The Following To Your Escrow Officer

  • Your forwarding address
  • Any existing payoff information
  • Identify leased equipment
  • Homeowner Association information
  • Utilities (if they are to be paid out of escrow)
  • Judgment/Liens
  • Any name changes since vesting
Download Pre-Closing Checklist

During The Home Inspection

  • You should not be onsite during the inspection, but your real estate agent may be there as your representative
  • If possible, be accessible by phone to answer any questions
  • Provide your agent with keys to any areas (crawlspaces, attics, detached buildings, etc) that the inspector will need to access
  • If the property is currently vacant, ensure that all utilities are on prior to the inspection

One To Two Weeks Following The Acceptance Date Of The Contract

  • Review any inspection amendment from the buyer with your agent and begin making agreed repairs
  • Make arrangements for a moving truck or schedule your moving service
  • Provide your agent with your preferred closing time

Two Weeks Before Closing Date

  • Go to USPS.com/move to change your address online or get a change of address package from the post office.
  • Begin notifying family, friends, debtors, etc of address change
  • Begin collecting information to pass on to the new owner (receipts for appliances, warranty information, owner’s manuals, repair and contractor contact information and dates of service)

One Week Before Closing

  • Call your utility companies to schedule the final readings and disconnect dates
  • Get directions to escrow office from your real estate agent or determine location for a mobile escrow signing
  • Organize receipts and information in relation to the work done to satisfy the inspection amendment. Provide copies to your real estate agent

Day Before Signing Appointment

  • Review the preliminary Settlement Statement to verify that the terms of the contract are correct and pay special attention to the line items for water bills, homeowner association dues, and mortgage balances
  • If you have any concerns, discuss them with your agent
  • If there is a chance of any dispute, your agent may advise you to bring proof of payment to the closing

Day Of Signing

  • Have two pieces of valid ID (one being photo ID) available at your signing appointment: Driver’s License, State ID, Passport, or Green Card
  • If funds are required to close, be prepared to bring the monies in the form of a cashier’s check or wire transfer. These funds need to be received by the Escrow office 24 hours in advance of the recording/closing date indicated on your Purchase and Sale Agreement.
  • Give the new owner your forwarding address and phone number in case anything is accidentally sent to you at the old address
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Ticor Title Welcomes Brandi Jensen, LPO / Escrow Closer

On November 20, 2018   /   Blog, WesternWA  

Brandi Jensen, LPO Escrow Closer

We are pleased to announce that Brandi Jensen, LPO/Escrow Closer has made the choice to join our escrow team in Lynnwood. With over three decades of escrow experience, she brings tremendous care, experience and insight to every closing for our clients and partners.

Brandi Jensen

Escrow Closer
brandi.jensen@ticortitle.com
425-789-3414

19020 33rd Avenue W Suite 550
Lynwood, WA 98036

About Brandi Jensen

Brandi is locally grown from Monroe, WA and has called Snohomish County home for her entire life. She has worked in the escrow industry for 33 years and has cultivated a thriving career as the escrow industry has grown and changed. She has closed a wide variety of transactions including residential, commercial, mobile homes, forest land, agricultural, wraps, assumptions, and more. Brandi has three grown children and 13 grandchildren. She enjoys spending her free time hiking, biking, kayaking, golfing, and boating with family.

Please join us in welcoming Brandi Jensen to the Ticor Title family!

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Strong Commercial Business Drives Third Quarter Performance

On November 2, 2018   /   Blog, Spokane, Title Insurance, WesternWA  

Ticor Title is a member of the Fidelity National Financial family of companies and the nation’s largest group of title companies and title insurance underwriters that collectively issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States.

Title Operation Performance

Our title business finished the third quarter of 2018 with solid results, as we generated adjusted pre-tax title earnings of $297 million, and an adjusted pre-tax title margin of 15.6%. Our adjusted pre-tax title earnings represented a $10 million, or 3.5%, growth over the third quarter of 2017.

Q3 2018 Fact Sheet


Download – Ticor Q3 2018 Fact Sheet

Commercial Real Estate Overview

Our commercial operations continued their solid performance with third quarter total commercial revenue of $271 million, an 8% increase over the third quarter of 2017. This was driven by a 16% increase in total commercial fee per file, offset by a 7% decrease in closed commercial orders. Third quarter total commercial orders opened increased by 1% compared to the prior year.

Residential Real Estate Overview

Residential purchase opened orders increased by .3% and closed orders decreased by 1% in the third quarter versus the same quarter of 2017. In addition, the mix of business trend towards purchase transactions was sustained in the third quarter, with purchase business accounting for 69% of opened and 71% of closed orders.

Strong Focus on Metrics into Fourth Quarter

Moving into the seasonally slower fourth quarter of 2018, we remain focused on our operating metrics and executing our business plans to maximize our profitability and strive to remain the most profitable title insurance company in the nation.

Excludes Discontinued Operations. All Figures in US dollars. Source: FNF 10-Q
**”FORTUNE®” and “FORTUNE 500®” are registered trademarks of Time Inc.
Time Inc. is not affilitated with, and does not endorse the products and services of Fidelity National Financial, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
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Ticor Title Westlake Seattle Relocation – Oct. 29, 2018

On October 23, 2018   /   Blog, WesternWA  


We are excited to announce that on October 29th our Westlake Escrow & Title office will be relocated to Lake Union’s premier office building, The Lake Union Building.

OLD ADDRESS
1505 Westlake Avenue N

NEW ADDRESS
1700 Westlake Avenue N.

The new location reflects our commitment to providing the finest closing experience for our clients and partners in the Seattle community.

Accessibility, Views & Ameneties

The recently renovated Lake Union Building is poised directly on the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop bike and walking trail and is accessible by land and sea with multiple public transportation routes nearby. In addition to improved accessibility, we’re happy to provide ample on-site parking and unencumbered views of the marina, lake, and city. The building is LEED Gold Certified providing a healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green commercial space.

Ticor Title – Westlake

New Location– October 29, 2018
1700 Westlake Ave N, #105
Seattle, WA 98109

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How to Read a Title Commitment

On October 9, 2018   /   Blog, Spokane, Title Insurance, WesternWA  

How to Read a Title Commitment

What is a Title Commitment?

A Title Commitment (also known as a Preliminary Report in some areas) is a dated formal report that sets out in detail the conditions under which a policy of title insurance would be issued on a particular parcel of land. Its sole purpose is to facilitate the issuance of the policy.

Within a short time after a title order has been opened, the matters of record relative to the issuance of the title insurance policy on the subject property have been assembled in the title search and examined by skilled technicians. This is the time when the Title Commitment is prepared and sent to the customer.

The report reflects the matters which would be shown as exceptions in a policy of the title insurance so that the parties to the transaction will be aware of any of those matters of record that may need to be cleared prior to the closing of the transaction. This report is issued before the title policy—hence the name Title Commitment.

Download & Print

Download a printable PDF:
How to Read a Title Commitment

Those matters shown in the report are as follows:

  1. The estate or interest covered.
  2. The record owner of the estate or interest.
  3. A legal description of the parcel of land covered.
  4. Requirements and Notes
  5. The easements, liens, encumbrances and other matters which affect the title to the land at the date and time of the report.

Members of the Washington Land Title Association (WLTA) use the type of report explained on the eBook below. The investigation of title is normally limited to the public record, with no reference to off record matters. All references to specific property, dollar amounts, documents, and individual and corporate identification are fictional and for the purpose of educational sample only.

A Guide to Reading the Title Commitment

How To Read A Title Commitment

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Ticor Title Welcomes Christina Hughes – Title Officer

On October 4, 2018   /   Blog, WesternWA  


We are very pleased to announce that Christina Hughes, Title Officer, has made the choice to join Ticor Title. With nearly two decades of experience in Title & Escrow and extensive experience with Commercial transactions, she brings a wealth of expertise and a loyal following of happy clients. Please join us in welcoming Christina to our team!

Christina Hughes

Title Officer
Christina.Hughes@ticortitle.com
425-434-4005

2825 Colby Ave Suite 300
Everett, WA 98201

About Christina Hughes

Christina has been in the Title industry since the year 2000. She began as a receptionist and steadily progressed through escrow assisting, title assisting, recording, and working in a title unit. She has been working almost exclusively on Commercial Transactions for the last 10 years, and has enjoyed working with a wide variety of clients.

As a clock hour certified instructor, she has been able to actively engage with the real estate community, educating clients and partners with insights about the “real day” in the life of a title officer. She is a gifted presenter and enjoys hosting “Title Insurance Q&A” sessions with customers. Underwriting challenges and incorporating requirements of lender and attorney requests keep her up to the task of improving the way she connects our customers to the insurance products they need.

Christina enjoys traveling with her husband and riding motorcycles in her spare time.

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You’re Invited – Ticor Covington Open House – Oct. 3

On September 21, 2018   /   Blog, WesternWA  

Please join us for food, refreshments, and good times as we celebrate our new location in Covington!

The growth of our Puget Sound operation has created opportunity for us to provide improved service and accessibility to the Southeast King County area. Our new escrow branch in Covington offers a central location with ample free parking, proximity to amenities, and easy access. We are committed to providing a stellar closing experience for our clients and partners in the Covington community.

You’ll find us conveniently located across from Covington Square Shopping Center where Highway 18 and Highway 516 meet.

RSVP:

Please RSVP to your Ticor Representative!

When:

October 3rd
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Where:

27116 167th Pl SE, Ste 102
Covington, WA 98042
PH: 253-631-3990
FX: 866-878-8977

Meet the team!

Janell Thalman, LPO/Escrow Branch Mgr
Marissa Wuthrich, Jr. Closer
Tawn Siriya, Jr. Closer

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You’re Invited – West Seattle Open House – September 19, 4 PM

On August 21, 2018   /   Blog, WesternWA  

West Seattle Open House September 19th 4PM

Please join us for food, refreshments, and good times as we celebrate our new and improved space in West Seattle and the addition of Lora Lilly to our team!

RSVP:

Jeff Parry
206-280-1500
jeff.parry@ticortitle.com

When:

September 19th
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM


Where:

4817 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116

Meet the team!

Lora Lilly, Branch Manager / LPO
Keleen Goering, Escrow Closer / LPO
Yuzo Pigott, Escrow Jr. Closer
Reid Vance, Title Officer

About Lora Lilly, AVP, LPO / West Seattle Escrow Branch Manager

Lora LillyLora brings a varied background in education and escrow. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies specializing in Business & Management form the University of Nebraska. Her 25+ years of experience in escrow began at the oldest and largest title company in Hawaii, closing developer projects. In 1995 she relocated to West Seattle, closing residential and commercial transactions.

Before coming to Ticor Title, Lora owned and operated an independent escrow company in West Seattle for over 14 years. She is excited to continue serving her neighborhood community with her depth of knowledge and the additional resources of Ticor Title.

Lora believes in providing customers with the best escrow experience, grounded in integrity.

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