MV Realty files for bankruptcy
Source: HousingWire By Brooklee Han Right-to-list agreement firm MV Realty has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 33 states. The story was first reported by…
eRecording in Alabama
Good news! eRecording is available in Alabama. You can eRecord your documents in Alabama through multiple vendors right now. Below is a list of counties…
Helpful Hint: Baldwin County Mineral Tax
Baldwin County charges a Mineral Tax but Escambia, Mobile and Monroe Counties do not collect for these charges. The charge is $.15 an acre rounded…
Title Tip: Lauderdale County
Don’t be shy about asking the probate clerks to buzz you through the locked half-door at the front of their office. The computer search terminals…
Member Highlight – Agent: Scott Thornley
Scott Thornley is a director for the counties of Colbert, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion, Walker, and Winston. Scott is a Partner in the…
Title Tips: Mapping Departments and Reappraisal Departments
The Mapping Departments and Reappraisal Departments often contain a wealth of information on property report cards. The information included on the cards can be helpful…
2023 Alabama Legislative Update
Act No. 2023-63 was passed (and made effective) on April 20, 2023. It authorizes the appointment of temporary probate judges (to serve with the current…
Title Tips: Searching Probate Records
1. Always search additional spellings, abbreviations and possible misspellings of names. 2. Always ask realtors and lenders for the parties’ full legal names. It is…
New Regulations: DOI Licensing and Compliance
The Alabama Department of Insurance has updated several regulations concerning licensing and compliance requirements for several categories of insurance professionals. Click on the links below…
New Law: The Notary Public Act
For those of you who are Alabama notaries, The Notary Public Act becomes effective September 1, 2023. Highlighted are the most relevant portions, but please…
Member Highlight – Agent: Stephanie Martin
Stephanie is the owner/operator of Elite Title Services, Inc. of Rainbow City, AL. She has been in the title insurance industry for 24 years. She…
Abstractor Tips for Lee, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, and Tuscaloosa Counties
Following up on the Alabama Abstractor’s Helpful Hints, here are some county-specific tips that we hope you find useful: LEE COUNTY: Hours: 8:30 am to…
Alabama Abstractor’s Helpful Hints
This month’s edition features “Helpful Hints” from many of our experienced title searchers, abstractors, and examiners. The ability to search the Probate real estate records…
Un-Real Estate: Forged signatures, Fake ID and other Phony documents
WWL-TV’s series “Un-Real Estate” by investigative reporter David Hammer has uncovered forged signatures, fake identification, and other phony documents being used by scammers to lay…
Seller Impersonation Fraud
Fraudsters committing seller fraud are becoming more creative and sophisticated. In many areas, two or more agents a week encounter and fortunately stop fraudsters mid-transaction.…
Protecting Homeowners from Predatory NTRAPS
Senate Bill 228, passed May 9th, 2023, is designed to protect the property rights of Alabama homeowners from predatory agreements known as Non-Title Record Agreements…
Interesting Texas Law: Dirty Deeds
Texas has adopted an interesting new law that allows Texas Clerks to require photo identification whenever anyone tries to file paperwork changing a property’s ownership.…
Prohibition of Foreign Government Land Purchases
House Bill 379, signed by Governor Ivey May 31st, 2023, is designed to prevent Alabama’s agricultural resources, or lands surrounding critical resources and military installations…
Member Highlight – Agent: Kathy W. Shirah
Kathy started her career in mortgage banking in 1990 with First Alabama Bank which later became Regions Mortgage, Incorporated. She has worked in various functions…
Amended Procedures for Recording Certain Judgments Concerning Real Property
House Bill 328, approved on June 6, 2023, requires that judgments concerning actions for condemnation or other land boundary or title disputes must be recorded…
