What is Title Insurance [video]

What is Title Insurance


Everyone has a checklist of things they look for when buying a house, right? Like maybe looking for a quiet tree-lined street in a neighborhood with good schools not far from work. These are all important things to consider. But what about the property’s history?

How Title Insurance Works

Over the years things like liens, easements, and subdivisions may cause confusion over who has rights to the property. And the last thing you want as a homeowner is a big kerfuffle to put your property in jeopardy! That’s where title insurance comes in. When you buy or refinance a home, title insurance confirms there are no disputes over who has rights to the property.

Here’s how it works: Unlike auto, health, or homeowners insurance where you pay a monthly premium for value after an action, you pay for title insurance upfront to protect you from future claims.

By the time you’re ready to close the deal, title insurance gives you and your lender peace of mind that any disputes or restrictions are resolved or known. To learn more about how title insurance protects your rights to your home, contact your Ticor Title representative.

How to Receive Your Closing Protection Letter in One Minute or Less

Closing Protection Letter Delivery in One MinuteTicor Title is proud to introduce a system by which we provide Closing Protection Letters (CPLs) in under one minute for our Lender Clients, providing convenience and a speedy response 24/7. When a Lender completes the CPL request form via MyTicor.com, a response via email with the completed CPL will be sent promptly.

*Note that internet connection speeds, recipient email server functionality, and technological issues outside our control may have an impact on when a recipient receives CPL.

Here’s how to access a Closing Protection Letter in under one minute:

  1. Visit MyTicor.com and click on the “CPL Request” link in the left-hand navigation menu.CPL Request Ticor Title
  2. Complete the CPL Request Form (including required fields marked with *)CPL Request Form Ticor Title
  3. Check your email. The CPL will be delivered promptly to the email address specified in the Request Form.

Need to make edits to your CPL?

Sometimes things change as a transaction progresses. If you need to make an edit to any given CPL provided by our system, click the link at the bottom of the CPL titled: “CLICK HERE TO EDIT AND RE-CREATE THIS CPL”. The current information on your CPL will appear in the form where you may make edits as needed. Click the “Submit” button to submit your change request. Your revised CPL will be delivered via email as before.

Closing Protection Letters Explained

Title insurance underwriters issue commitments and policies both through direct title operations and through title insurance agents. The title insurance underwriter/ agent relationship is a limited agency relationship wherein the agent is only granted the authority to act on behalf of the title insurance underwriter for the purpose of issuing title insurance commitments or policies. Although both title insurance underwriters and title agents perform closing and escrow functions, those closing and escrow activities are outside the scope of the limited scope of title insurance underwriter’s agency contract and relationship with the policy issuing agent. Given the limited scope of the title insurance underwriter/agent relationship the title insurer has no responsibility or liability for closing and escrow activities of a title agent.

Closing Protection Letters &
Insurance Policy Comparisons

Important Differences Between Different Types Of CommonInsurance Policies and Protections
Closing Protection Letters & Insurance Policy Comparisons

By contrast, when a direct title operation or employee of a title insurance underwriter performs closing or escrow functions the underwriter is liable for those acts because those are the direct acts of the title insurance underwriter and its employees. The closing protection letter is offered to address lender concerns over the security of funds and documents handled by a title agent that is issuing the title insurer’s policy in a particular transaction by indemnifying against actual loss if the policy issuing agent does not follow the lender’s written closing instructions regarding the disbursement of funds and documents.

The closing protection letter is an agreement to indemnify the lender for actual losses incurred by the lender caused by specific closing and escrow related actions or inactions of the title agent. The closing protection letter is not an insurance contract. The title underwriter’s indemnification obligation is subject to the conditions and exclusions to indemnification stated in the body of the letter.

Subject to state law variations, the closing protection letter indemnifies against actual loss caused by failure of the named issuing agent to comply with the written closing instructions of the addressee/lender to the extent those closing instructions relate to:

  • The status of title to the land or the validity, enforceability and priority of the lien of the mortgage, including the obtaining of documents and the disbursement of funds necessary to establish title or the lien; or
  • Fraud, dishonesty or negligence of the issuing agent in handling the addressee’s transactional funds or documents to the extent such fraud, dishonesty or negligence relates to the status of the title or the validity, enforceability and priority of the lien of the mortgage.

A strong finish to another successful year, on record revenue from commercial business

2015 Company Fact Sheet

Company Fact Sheet Full Year 2015

Download

Click to download Ticor Title 2015 Company Fact Sheet

Ticor Title is the nation’s largest title insurance company through its title insurance underwriters – Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, Alamo Title and National Title of New York – that collectively issue more title insurance policies than any other title company in the United States.

The fourth quarter was a strong finish to 2015 for our title business, as we again led the title industry with a 13.8% pre-tax title margin. The purchase market showed continued growth, as our open and closed purchase orders grew by approximately 9% for the fourth quarter and fullyear 2015.

We had a record quarter in our commercial business, generating $303 million in total commercial revenue, an 11% increase over the fourth quarter of 2014. For full-year 2015, total commercial revenue was more than $1 billion, a 20% increase over full-year 2014.
Ticor Title 2015-Company Fact Sheet

PATH Act Increases Withholding Rate up to 15%

FIRPTA PATH Update February 17, 2016

FIRPTA PATH withholding explanationOn December 18, President Obama signed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015. This law creates significant changes to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which amended the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA).

What does the new rule change about withholding requirements?

Settlement agents must begin holding back 10-15% proceeds from the sale of real property by foreign nationals. Property bought by foreign persons that will be used as a personal residence is exempt from the increase if the sales price does not exceed $1,000,000. If the previous exception for personal residences does not apply, the 10% withholding rate is retained. If the price is higher than $1,000,000, the new 15% withholding rate will apply.

Download

Download a printable version:
PATH ACT FIRPTA update

What are the benefits?

The PATH Act benefits the real estate industry by doubling the maximum amount of stock ownership that a foreign investor may have in a real estate investment trust (REIT) from 5% to 10%. Another additional benefit is that the law permits certain foreign pension funds to invest in REITs without having FIRPTA treatment apply.

When does it go into effect?

The PATH Act is effective 60 days after Obama signed it into law. This applies to sales on and after FEBRUARY 17, 2016.

What are the guidelines settlement agents must follow when remitting funds to the IRS?

  1. If the amount realized is $300,000 (typically the sales price) or less, and the property will be used by the foreign buyer as a residence (within current regulations), no amount will be withheld or remitted to the IRS.
  2. If the amount realized above $300,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000 and the property will be used by the buyer as a residence, then the withholding rate is 10% of the entire amount realized.
  3. If the amount realized exceeds $1,000,000, then the withholding rate is 15% on the entire amount, regardless of how the property is used.

Are there any obligations for FIRPTA withholding by the real estate agent or broker?

If you represent the buyer or seller of real property subject to FIRPTA withholding, you could be liable for the tax that should have been withheld by the buyer in certain circumstances.

If you have additional questions about the PATH Act, please contact a tax professional.

Ticor Title Spokane Valley Expands Team!

Ticor Title Spokane Valley Expands Team

Ticor Title Spokane Valley Expands TeamWelcome Pam Koep and Melissa Stewart!

Location & Contact

16201 E Indiana Ave, Suite 3300
Spokane, 99216
Phone: 509-928-9665
Fax: 855-885-2346

Online

TeamPam@TicorTitle.com
TicorSpokane.com

We are pleased to announce the expansion of our new Spokane Valley Operation with the addition of Pam Judge – Closer/LPO, and Melissa Stewart – Escrow Assistant. We believe that every successful closing begins with a great team. Please join us in congratulating Pam and Melissa for joining Team Ticor!

Pam Koep – LPO/Escrow Closer

Pam began her career in 1999 as a receptionist and worked her way up into title and landed in escrow about 14 years ago. An LPO for 3 years, she is very organized and likes to stay on top of her files, delivering CD’s or HUDS as quickly as possible.

Clients commend Pam for the way she explains documents to their clients and facilitates timely signings. Her goal is to make transactions flow smoothly for everyone.

Pam is a Northwest native with one child. She spends her free time outdoors and enjoys camping. She also enjoys doing crafts, traveling, and time with family and friends.

Pam Koep

LPO/Escrow Closer
Spokane Valley Office
(509) 742-5305
pam.judge@ticortitle.com

Melissa Stewart – Escrow Assistant

Melissa has been in the Title & Escrow industry for over eight years and is known for her attention to detail and structured approach to working with clients and transactions. She prides herself on her ability to cultivate positive relationships and takes a team approach to achieving goals.

Melissa loves to travel and experience the adventure of new sights, cultures, and food. On the weekends, you might find her spending quality time with family, reading a good book, or playing tennis with her hubby.

A Spokane resident of 27 years, Melissa attended middle school and high school there before earning a degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Washington University.

Melissa Stewart
Escrow Assistant
Spokane Valley Office
(509) 742-5304
melissa.stewart@ticortitle.com

Recorded Documents Now Available Via Ticor Pocket Profile App

Pocket Profile

How to Get the Ticor Pocket Profile App

To get the Pocket Profile App, visit the App Store on your Apple Device or the Google Play Store on your Android.

You Will Need a Username/Password

Once you have installed the app on your mobile device, you will need a Pocket Profile account login to access property information for your area. Your Ticor Title Sales Executive can provide you with a username and password.

Recorded Documents via Mobile

We are excited to announce that our Ticor Pocket Profile app now provides access to recorded documents (Deeds) for properties in King County, Pierce County, and Snohomish Counties. Access to recorded documents and full legal descriptions after hours, on weekends, and on the go saves time and may help avoid certain business delays for our Lending and Real Estate partners! Pocket Profile puts document access in your hands.

What is the Ticor Pocket Profile App?

Quite simply, the Ticor Pocket Profile App enables users to access property profiles from their Android or Apple mobile device. Users have the option to search for properties by address, owner name, parcel number, nearby properties, or even by taking a snapshot of a house.

What’s included in a Property Profile report?

Property profile reports include

  • Property Profile – With Legal Description, Property Characteristics, Sale Loan Info, Assessor / Tax info
  • Transfer History (Now with Recorded Documents!)
  • Area Sales Analysis
  • Nearby Properties
  • Neighborhood Demographics
  • Public Schools Report
  • Private Schools Report
  • Plat Map

How to Access Recorded Documents

The five steps below illustrate how to access recorded documents

Step 1.
Search for a property.

property-profile-search-1

Step 2.
Select a property from the list of results.

property-profile-search-2

Step 3.
Select Transfer History

property-profile-search-3

Step 4.
Select the Document Number option.

property-profile-search-4

Step 5.
The Recorded Document Appears.

property-profile-search-5

 

Questions or Comments? Contact us or share below!

Escrow Workflow – 12 Steps to Closing with the TRID Forms

As we all know, the Closing Process has changed since the enactment of the new TRID rule. And with the implementation of new forms, lenders and settlement agents work together to determine a workflow for the completion and delivery of the Closing Disclosure during the closing process. Below is one example that illustrates the process and shows which items the Lender typically performs and which items Escrow typically performs.

Download

CFPB Escrow Workflow

Download a PDF of the CFPB Escrow Workflow here.

Who Completes the Closing Disclosure?

Lenders and settlement agents may agree to divide responsibilities with regard to completing the Closing Disclosure with the settlement agent assuming responsibility to complete some or all of the Closing Disclosure.

Who Delivers the Closing Disclosure?

The rule makes the lender responsible for ensuring that the consumer receives the Closing Disclosure. Lenders may work with the settlement agent to have them deliver the Closing Disclosure to consumers on their behalf.

Typical Escrow Workflow:

PERFORMED BY LENDER

PERFORMED BY TICOR TITLE

Open Order

Lender will send order request through Real EC to the Ticor Title Escrow unit. The Escrow unit will open the escrow and request title report and order any payoffs required.

1
  2

Confirmation of Order and Preliminary Report

A confirmation is sent to the lender that the escrow order is opened and the preliminary report will be uploaded to Real EC.

Documents Request

A CPL, fee quote, wiring instructions and any other documents that are requested by the lender will be uploaded to RealEC.

3  
  4

Closing Disclosure Preparation

Upon delivery of lender’s instructions, the escrow unit will prepare the closing disclosure and upload to Real EC for lender review and approval.

Delivery of Closing Disclosure

The Lender or escrow unit will prepare and deliver the closing disclosure to the borrowers as instructed and within the timeframe as required by the lender.

5

Delivery of Closing Disclosure

The Lender or escrow unit will prepare and deliver the closing disclosure to the borrowers as instructed and within the timeframe as required by the lender.

Closing Instructions and Loan Documents

Lender will prepare Closing Instructions and Loan Documents and send to escrow unit through Real EC.

6  
  7

Signing / Consummation

Once received, escrow will schedule an appointment with the borrowers to sign the loan documents upon the expiration of the disclosure period.

  8

Loan Documents to Lender

The escrow unit will return executed loan documents and provide any outstanding conditions through Real EC that are required for the lender to provide funding authorization.

Funding Requirements

Lender provides additional funding requirements to Ticor Title Escrow & Escrow provides requirements to Lender.

9  

Lender Funds

Lender sends funds to Ticor Title Escrow unit.

10  
  11

Recordation

Once the wire is received from the lender, the escrow will record the Deed of Trust and any additional required documents with the County Recorder’s office. ~ The original recorded documents will be uploaded to Real EC and sent to the lender as required.

  12

Final Title Policy

The title company will send the final title policy to the lender as per their lender’s instructions.

Ticor Title Expands to Spokane Valley

Ticor Title Spokane Valley

Ticor Title Spokane ValleyWe are pleased to announce the opening of our new Spokane Valley Operation and that Mick Templeton AVP / Branch Manager / Escrow Closer, Melody Sarff, Escrow Assitant, and Tricia Osterholm, Escrow Assistant have joined our Spokane Ticor Team and will staff our new office.

Mick and his team have been serving the real estate community in the Spokane Valley area for many years as an independent escrow operation.

Please join us in congratulating the new members of our team!

Mick-Templeton-150
Mick Templeton
AVP/Branch Manager/
Escrow Closer
Melody-Sarff-150
Melody Sarff
Escrow Assistant
Tricia-Osterholm-150
Tricia Osterholm
Escrow Assistant

Where to find us

16201 E Indiana Avenue, Suite 3300
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
(509) 928-9665

Owner’s Premium & Simultaneous Issue Discount – Under the New CFPB Rules

owners premium simultaneous issue

If a buyer opts not to purchase an owner’s policy, in most states they would not receive the benefit of a simultaneous issue discount applied to the loan policy premium. Currently, in a typical residential transaction, a lender quotes the discounted rate on a Loan Estimate.

However, any increase in this premium would result in a tolerance violation or increased annual percentage rate. Therefore, the CFPB wrote into the new rules any simultaneous issue discount must be applied to the owner’s policy premium and not the loan policy premium.

Therefore, when the new CFPB rules are implemented, the lender will need to disclose the full lender’s policy premium on the Loan Estimate and the preparer of the Closing Disclosure will charge the full loan premium. The new formula for calculating the owner’s premium with the simultaneous issue discount applied is as follows:

Owner’s Premium
+ Simultaneous Issue Rate
Full Loan Premium
= Owner’s Rate

The new calculation method applies regardless of which party to the transaction is paying the owner’s policy premium. For example, the premiums on the purchase of a $300,000 residence with a $240,000 loan closed simultaneously with actual premiums are as follows:

Owner’s Policy Premium $1,090
Loan Policy Premium (Full Rate) $ 928
Loan Policy Premium (Simultaneous Issue Rate) $ 469

On a transaction closed prior to the effective date of the new rules the seller would pay $1,090 and the buyer would pay $469. On the same transaction closed after the effective date of the new rules the disclosure would reflect the seller paying the calculated premium of $631 and the buyer paying the full loan premium of $928.

The title provider will still receive all the total premium dollars due to them. However, the seller ends up paying $459 less than obligated and the buyer ends up paying $459 more than obligated.

OP&SI_Discount_Ticor

The only way the formula works is if one of the parties to the transaction is paying both policy premiums, which in most markets is not customary. As a result, our systems have been designed to provide an off–setting debit to the seller for the balance of the owner’s premium and an offsetting credit for the same to the buyer.

The disclosure amounts, and off–setting debits and credits only appear when the Closing Disclosure is printed using the Company’s escrow production systems. Any other document, such as a closing statement or fee ticket, will print the premium dollars in the normal fashion.

Ticor Title Welcomes John Bloomquist as VP/Area Sales Manager!

We are pleased to announce that John Bloomquist has joined the Ticor team as Vice President/Area Sales Manager and will be overseeing a sales team in Snohomish County and North King County.

John brings a proven track record of success and excellent customer service.

A Word to Clients

John Bloomquist

“I made this move confident that it will be mutually beneficial. I will continue to show you the same commitment and dedication that I have always shown, with the added benefit of exceptional preparation for the TRID changes and the backing of a truly progressive Fortune 500 company.”

-John Bloomquist

Why Ticor Title was the Right Choice

John chose Ticor Title because of the unique mix of services that Ticor provides:

  • TRID/CFPB Readiness
  • Nationwide Coverage, Including 19 Counties in WA State
  • “Make it Happen” Underwriting
  • Extremely Competitive Fees
  • Regional Lending Centers
  • Forward-Thinking Agent Tools

Contact John Bloomquist

Effective immediately, you may contact John at his new TICOR TITLE phone and email below:

John Bloomquist
206.305.1335
john.bloomquist@ticortitle.com
To set up orders: waorders@ticortitle.com
For customer service needs: cs.wa@ticortitle.com

Read more...

Please join us in welcoming John to our Ticor Family!