News By Edition

Greg Slowiak, new senior vice president of product technology at CertifID, sat down with The Title Report to lay out near-term expectations for real estate cybercrime and what can be done to prevent it.

Cyber threats targeting real estate transactions are growing. The latest data from the FBI shows losses from business email compromise scams in real estate rising 36 percent annually.

Read on to find out more information.

Business  services holding company Open Holdings announced an investment into a Washington, D.C.-based title insurance agency that serves clients nationwide.

The president for Open Holdings sees the investment as a way to extend its “people-first” business services platform into the title insurance industry, allow the rollout of new client partnership opportunities.

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Latest data from the U.S Federal Reserve System Beige Book shows a slight overall increase in nationwide economic activity, albeit with some districts reporting a decline.

The report highlighted continued challenges in the real estate market. Demand for residential mortgages remained subdued, with reports of fluctuating interest rates influencing activity.

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Hiring plans increased among small businesses in November, but labor costs are also on the rise, according to new data from the National Federation of Independent Business.

Labor costs reported as the single most important problem for business owners rose three points to 11 percent in November, only two points below the highest reading of 13 percent reached in December 2021.

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Cornerstone Financing announced an expansion into Ohio, with leaders emphasizing broader access to the company’s home equity services as a primary factor.

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PropStream announced an addition to its Lead List features; giving users a simpler way to uncover upside-down or underwater mortgages.

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Empty-nest households that could add to inventory are not where they are needed most, negating their ability to help mitigate affordability challenges, according to a new report from Zillow.

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A title industry veteran who just established Rosewood Title in El Paso, Texas, sat down with The Title Report to detail what led up to the move.

The company is licensed to operate in El Paso County, offering a comprehensive range of services, including ownership and encumbrance reports, title reports, settlement services and escrow services.

Read on to learn more.

Home equity investment originator Splitero will use a new large capital investment to provide more homeowners access to equity as it expands services into new states, its second expansion since mid-November.

According to data from ICE Mortgage Monitor, U.S. homeowners collectively hold $11.5 trillion of accessible home equity. 

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A growing nationwide law firm has acquired a legal practice and title company based in West Palm Beach, Fla., company leaders announced.

The acquired law firm and title company will continue to occupy their current West Palm Beach spaces with all attorneys and staff members being retained, according to the firm.

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Stewart Information Services Corp. has extended the contract of CEO Fred Eppinger, citing accomplishments including increased market share.

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The Clearing House announced a new $10 million individual transaction limit for its instant payments system, RTP network.

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Redfin reported  this year marked the first time since 2010 that low-risk homes across three major climate categories – heat, fire and flood – gained value faster than high-risk homes.

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Compass Inc. has announced it plans to acquire real estate brokerages Christie’s International Real Estate and @properties. The deal also includes two Chicago-based title and mortgage companies.

@properties is the eighth-largest residential brokerage in the country by sales volume, and Christie's International Real Estate has global reach with a network of 100-plus independently owned domestic and international affiliates across 50 countries and territories.

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AM Best has affirmed financial strength and long-term issuer credit ratings for Investors Title Co. and its subsidiaries, the firm recently reported.

The ratings reflect Investors Title’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assessed as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

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Finaya has launched a new homeownership platform and nationwide rollout of its end-to-end homeownership marketplace, encompassing title, insurance and other home-related services.

From providing information about home values and property conditions to shopping for and securing the right insurance, the platform aims to simplify the process, company leaders said.

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Chicago-based title insurance underwriter Advocus has appointed a trio to its leadership team, including a new chief operating officer.

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The number of homebuyers and sellers contacting Redfin agents has jumped in recent weeks, with Redfin’s Homebuyer Demand Index posting its biggest year-over-year increase since early 2022.

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A new partnership between real estate technology firm HomeLight and real estate brokerage Orchard aims to streamline buy-before-you-sell home transactions and raise awareness of home equity among buyers and sellers.

HomeLight Vice President of Growth Nick Friedman sat down with The Title Report to detail how the collaboration can help home transaction volume and the title insurance industry.

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Anywhere Real Estate’s third quarter earnings report showed a year-over-year drop in revenue, net income and purchase title and closing units.

Third quarter revenue of $1.5 billion was down 3 percent from 2023, while combined closed transaction volume remained flat, with units down roughly 5 percent and prices up 6 percent.

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Closinglock now includes insurance coverage of up to $2.5 million for each wire transfer verified through its portal, company leaders announced.

Customers become directly insured under the policy, complete with a certificate of insurance, offering streamlined claim processing and direct access to protections and payouts.

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Stewart Title has brought on a new business development officer to serve on its South Dakota team, tapping a former Realtor and educator.

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Homeowners insurance and vertical software platform Porch Group has signed an agreement to license its Home Factors insights to a California-based firm.

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Unpredictable mortgage rates will play a big role in shaping next year’s housing market with buyers markets spreading to the Southwest unless rates fall dramatically, according to Zillow.

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Florida-based La Rosa Holdings reported a significant year-over-year jump in third quarter earnings, with large moves this year including multiple title insurance and real estate acquisitions.

Finalization of La Rosa’s Nona Title Agency acquisition was announced in August. Nona Title Agency operates under the name Red Door Title in Orlando, Fla.

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Real estate brokerage firm The Agency is partnering with a New York-based title business to launch an affiliated title agency called EastWest Abstract.

The Agency has closed more than $72 billion real estate transactions since its founding roughly 13 years ago, comprising over 120 offices in 12 countries.

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A 2024 Migration Trends report from the National Association of Realtors reveals key motivators for movers, with many clients relocating to be closer to family and friends.

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First American Title Co. named a new chief title counsel, tapping a former city mayor who’s helped shape public policy in multiple areas across the U.S.

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AmTrust Title has integrated its advanced search and production software with Qualia Atlas, allowing Qualia agents to underwrite policies.

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