Good Day for Reminders & No Hurricanes

This week's blog post includes: Doc Stamps, Regulatory Counsel & Fund Affiliate Assembly    

Dear Members,

This is a week for “reminders.”

Reminder of new law re: documentary stamps on spousal conveyances:  Effective July 1, 2019, transfers between spouses of homestead property are exempt from documentary stamps even if the home is subject to a mortgage.  The legislature eliminated the requirement that the conveyance be within one year of the date of marriage.  This will facilitate changes in ownership that are advisable for estate planning or that may be required in connection with a refinance.  The change is to Sec. 201.02(7)(b).  NO MORE DOC STAMPS!  A good thing……..

Reminder of what our regulatory counsel, Bob Rohan, does for you.  Bob answers lots of questions from Members that range from whether a transaction must be reported to FinCEN to whether the closing agent “is allowed” to tell the buyer the amount of the cash due at closing. Send Bob your questions at regulatorycompliance@TheFund.com. Bob also keeps an eye on various things for you. Here is something you might find of interest. DFS recently updated their guidance on “Open Houses" and what licensed title agents can and cannot do in connection with their presence at Open Houses. Here is a link to a summary of the most recent happenings. https://www.thefund.com/information-center/pdf/rohan-update-jul-17-2019.pdf.

Reminder that Paralegals and Closers need to be informed, too!  Affiliate Assemblies are just around the corner.  I am pretty excited about Affiliate Assemblies this year.  There are two opportunities to attend:  Tampa on August 22 and 23 and Ft. Lauderdale on September 12 and 13.  The content this year includes information on Easements, Construction Liens, Wire fraud, PACE loans, Insuring Leases and the new Remote Online Notarization law.  Registrations are filling up fast so don't delay.  Here's a link to the registration page.  Hope to see you there!

Reminder that every day we avoid a hurricane in Florida is a good day!

Let me know how we can help you.

Melissa Jay Murphy
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer,
General Counsel and Secretary