Exciting New Information!

New Paralegal Certification Program, eClosing Update, Legislative Advocacy and More! New Paralegal Certification Program, eClosings & Legislative Advocacy

Real Estate Paralegal Certification program launched!

At Fund Assembly, CEO Jimmy Jones announced our partnership with Seminole State College (SSC) for a Real Estate Paralegal Certification program focusing on the skills and training required for top notch real estate closers and paralegals. Fund Members have been concerned about the difficulty of finding qualified closers/paralegals to staff their offices. We heard you and we responded! The Fund is providing oversight of the course curriculum and materials and SSC is handling the application, enrollment and instruction. Classes start in August 2018 and interested persons can apply now. If you are interested in finding out more, visit thefund.com/repc.

eClosing update

Every day brings more information about eClosings. We are hearing about lenders wanting to move into the eClosing world and are looking for title/closing agents who can work with them. We are learning more about the various eClosing platforms that you will be using.

You may be asking "Where do I start????" Here's a simple action plan:

  • Designate someone in your office to become your subject matter expert on eClosings.
  • Stay informed. The Fund will help you do this.
  • Start eRecording. If you are not already doing this, eRecording is an easy way for you to begin embracing the world of eCommerce with real estate closings.
  • Research one or two of the eClosing providers such as Pavaso. Educate yourself on how they operate.
  • Send your paralegal/closers to Fund Affiliate Assembly later this year. There will be lots of information on eClosings.

We have built an information page for Fund Members that contains FAQs and other resources for you.

Advocacy and TITL

I am headed to Washington DC for the ALTA Advocacy Summit, May 20-23, 2018. I am very excited about the opportunity to network with title insurance industry leaders from across the country. I am equally excited about the opportunity to talk one on one with our representatives in Congress from Florida. I want to talk with them about the TRID Improvement Act, the GUIDE Act and other ways they can help us. Equally important are my efforts in Florida. This is a very, very important election year and I need your help to support candidates interested in our issues.

Please give generously to our political committee, TITL. Visit thefund.com/TITL and make your contribution online. If you have any questions at all, please reach out to me! I would love to talk with you about how your TITL dollars make a real difference.

Delay for implementation of an ordinance in Miami-Dade 

On May 15, 2018, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners voted to delay the implementation of the Miami-Dade Special Taxing District Disclosure Requirement for 90 days. Please note the Mayor has a 10-day window to veto the decision by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. However, a veto is not expected.  View the amendment to Ordinance No. 18-12 showing the 90 day delay for implementation.

Fund Assembly 2018

Fund Assembly this year was a great success! We have received very positive feedback about the program and some very constructive suggestions for the future. Here are some quotes from the survey we sent out:

"You touched on some significant topics this year, LLCs, homestead/probate, POAs, electronic closings, work flow. - last year water rights was memorable - all excellent. Continue along same lines of what the practitioner deals with on a day to day basis, and most common problems you see."

"Much better and more relevant than in prior years."

"I would like to see more topics oriented toward the more advanced issues or commercial issues"

Next year: "Advanced session on survey issues and separate session on homestead for married couples in revocable trusts."

And my favorite: "The speakers were the best ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

If you weren't able to make it this year, mark your calendars now for next year: May 9, 10 and 11, 2019. We will be returning to the Hilton Bonnet Creek.

Thanks for reading. Let me know how we can help you.

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

05/17/2018