General Counsel Blog

02/06/2023

Audits, Assembly & Affiliate Day

Dear Members, Today's message covers a range of stuff. Please pay particular attention to the message about our Member audit process. It's important.

01/17/2023

DOR Forms, DFS Surcharge and Bar Exam Pass Rates

Dear Members, Hope your 2023 is going well. We are busy getting ready for Assembly 2023 (registration opens February 1!). The 2023 legislative session kicks off in early March but committee meetings are underway so we are closely monitoring legislation that might affect you and your practices. A couple of bits of information for you today so read on.

12/30/2022

Challenges & Opportunities Ahead

Dear Members, Just a few thoughts before we wrap up 2022 and head into 2023. A lot has been going on in our industry over the past several years; there have been so many challenges! I've been impressed with how you have adapted to the changes driven by the pandemic and then the exploding market. I am also proud of the way The Fund has adapted and continued to support you. Hope you feel the same way!

12/05/2022

Bills, Forms & Agreements Updates

Dear Members, The 2022 legislative session is but a dim memory for those of us already focused on potential bills for the 2023 legislative session! But there are a few bills from this year's session that have not yet gone into effect……with an effective date of January 1, 2023. Some of these are not related in any way to real estate but I included them. It's a short list so here is a brief summary. If you want to review the bill in detail, I have provided a link to the bill itself (warning: some bills may be lengthy and require perseverance to get through it all).

11/28/2022

Hot Topics & Things to Do

Dear Members, Real Time Payments. I recently hosted a Title Now webinar on a new form of electronic payment - Real Time Payments - that sparked a real interest and generated lots of questions. If you missed the webinar, here is a link to our podcast, Title Now, and you can listen in. https://www.thefund.com/resources/podcast/title-now/real-time-payments.aspx. My guest was Rick Bruhn with US Bank and he knows a lot about RTPs. Here is a link to a summary of the many questions asked, with some answers! https://www.thefund.com/real-time-payments-faqs.pdf Thank you for your interest and I look forward to hosting many more sessions on current topics in the industry.

11/04/2022

Reminders, Renewals & a Special Remembrance

Dear Members, As we begin to wind down the year, your thoughts might be turning to turkey, football and the holidays. That's nice. My thoughts continue to focus on cyber fraud, GTO renewals and vacant lot scams! I want to share my happy thoughts so here are some reminders, some new stuff and general info. Also a short remembrance of a very nice man.

10/10/2022

Post-Hurricane, ALTA 2021 Forms & RON Resources

Dear Members, So many of you are in difficult, if not heartbreaking, situations as a result of Hurricane Ian. Please let us know if you need help in the form of office space (conference room etc) or possibly production help. We have had many Members reach out and offer varying levels of support for each other. Email me at mmurphy@thefund.com and I will see what we can do to help. Fund Members take care of each other! It's been very gratifying to see the generosity of our Members.

10/03/2022

2021 ALTA Forms & New Requirements

Dear Members, In the wake of Hurricane Ian, our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the storm. Many of you were hit and hit hard. If there is a way we can help with your operations, please let me know what you need. Be sure to include your contact information so that we can get back in touch with you. If you are willing to offer resources (office space, conference rooms, computer access) to Members who have been affected, please let us know and we will connect you with those who need help. We are here for you.

09/16/2022

Estoppel Fee Increase, New 2021 ALTA Forms & Vacant Lot Scams

Sorry that time got the better of me and it has been awhile since I reached out to you. So let's get to it! Here are some things that might be of interest.

08/15/2022

College Football, Cryptocurrency & Caution: Fake Notaries

Dear Members, Summer is winding down and our thoughts turn to back-to-school routines and….of course……college football! Many of us are expecting great things from our teams and new coaches. But disappointment and despair are inevitable. I am looking forward to sharing stories with you over the next several months over victories achieved or victories snatched away in the final seconds. Now down to business.