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March 2020
Title Notes E-News


Special Notice: Due to unprecedented high settlement volume, Virginia Title Center is requesting 
a  minimum of a 30 day process from receipt of order to scheduled settlement date on purchase files  and 
three weeks on refinances. Creating an exceptional client experience for all parties involved is paramount.
Thank you for your support and understanding.

13 Things You Should Give Up If You Want To Be Successful
by Zdravko Cvijetic

Sometimes, to become successful, and get closer to the person we can become, we don't need to add more things, we need to give up on some of them.  There are certain things that are universal, which, if you give up on them, you will be successful, even though each one of us could have a different definition of success.  Some of them you can give up today, while it might take a bit longer for others.  Click HERE to learn more.

If You Sleep In This Position, You Will Have More Nightmares
by Kyle Schnitzer

Recent studies have shown that everyone has nightmares for different reasons.
More than half of 1,000 employed US workers said they had  experienced a work-related nightmare in a recent study, which researchers found troubling due to the implications a nightmare can do to the psyche. What triggers a nightmare can be anything from having a late-night snack to side effects of certain types of medications,  according to WebMD.  Nightmares can even be  triggered by the way you sleep .  Click  HERE  to learn more.
$221M Lost to Wire Transfer Fraud in 2019
From American Land Title Association

Incidents and losses due to real estate wire fraud continue to increase, according to the  FBI's 2019 Internet Crime Report.
The report shows there were 11,677 victims in 2019 with $221 million in losses. This compares to 11,300 reported victims and $150 million in losses in 2018. We must all be diligent and educate consumers  about how they can protect their money when purchasing a home or refinancing a mortgage.  Click HERE  to learn more.
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How To Protect Your Financial Institution from Foreign Cyberattacks
by Steve Sanders

Financial institutions should remain vigilant regardless, but the escalating situation in the Middle East serves as a catalyst to ensure your institution is fully prepared to deal with a cyberattack from a foreign adversary.  Reduce Your Attack Surface:  This is an excellent time to take inventory of your technical assets, because every device and piece of installed software you have increases your attack surface, leading to much higher risk.  Eliminating unused devices reduces the amount of assets you must manage and protect. However, getting rid of unused software may be even more important, as all software has the potential for vulnerabilities. Click HERE to learn about additional things you should be doing right now.

HERE WE GROW AGAIN!!!

Welcome to the Team Katie Marin

Katie Marin joined the VTC team in February 2020 as a Settlement Processor and Closer where she is responsible for coordinating and performing all aspects of residential and commercial real estate closings. 

She is a graduate of Radford University with a dual degree in Anthropology and Sociology. 

Katie has been a settlement processor since 2017 working in the Roanoke area. She has a keen eye for detail and a strong background in customer service. Katie strives for accuracy and efficiency in any tasks she tackles. 

She is newly married to her husband Alex and although they have no human babies, they spend time showering affection on their fur-baby Miller. During her spare time Katie enjoys walking the Greenway or travelling to new destinations with her husband.

Katie will be based out of the Roanoke main office. Please join us in welcoming Katie to the VTC family.

Click HERE to check out the rest of the #VTCDREAMTEAM
Investors Title Company Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2019 Results
 
For the year of 2019, net income attributable to the Company increased 43.7% to a record $31.5 million, or $16.59 per diluted share, versus $21.9 million, or $11.54 per diluted share, in the prior year. For the quarter, net income attributable to the Company increased to a record $11.4 million, or $6.00 per diluted share, versus $135,000, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Revenues for the year increased 17.4% to a record $183.5 million, compared with $156.3 million in the prior year. Operating expenses increased 11.2% to $143.7 million, compared with $129.2 million in the prior year.

Chairman J. Allen Fine commented, "We are pleased to report another year of strong performance for the Company. For both the quarter and the year, the Company set new records for revenues, premiums, and earnings. A strong economy led to another year of increases in the level of home sales and average real estate values, while historically low interest rates drove a sharp increase in the level of refinance activity." Click HERE to review the full press release.

The Essential Job Interview Question Almost Nobody Ever Asks  
by Geoffrey James, contributing editor, Inc.com

Only ask this question if you really want to know if this individual candidate will be successful in this particular job as it  reveals massively valuable information:  "To do your best work, how do you need to be managed? Feel free to use an example."  A big advantage to this question is that it uncovers three important perspectives and it can't be gamed with a pat answer because the candidate won't know the management style of the person for whom they would be working. A pat answer thus might easily misfire. Click HERE to learn more.
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Here are additional articles related to Leadership that may be of interest: 
Hey Housing Professionals, Your Jargon Isn't Helping Consumers
by Dustin Brohm

It seems that agents and lenders don't know how to talk to consumers...."Guess what, consumers! Conforming loan limits were just raised! Awesome, right!? Call me!" "Woo hoo! FHA just increased loan limits! Give me a call today!""Fannie and Freddie just did..." "FHFA just announced..." Rates! Bond charts! Comps! CMAs! 15-year fixed! Jumbo! How many of these posts do we see on social media from our fellow agents and lenders every day? Like, a bazillion! It's not necessarily the topic that is the issue, it's the delivery of the topic that's the problem. Do you know what was missing from 5.999 bazillion of those posts? An explanation of what in the world a conforming loan even is! An explanation of how a major move in rates actually affects consumers' purchasing power. Nothing tangible, just generic, unhelpful nonsense. Click HERE to read on.
Consumers' Surprising Views on the Future of Banking  
by Bill Streeter, Editor at The Financial Brand

According to a new study, tech companies are winning the battle for payments, branches will disappear, and mobile banking dominates delivery options. For now, financial institutions maintain a big edge over fintechs, but consumers would welcome more personalized advice and new security tools. Click  HERE to learn great insights from a consumer survey into how they see the future of banking
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Here are additional articles related to Banking that may be of interest: 
Please click HERE to view 
our new Settlement Fees Effective January 2020

 

**Remember to offer your borrowers Owner's Coverage on their most valuable investment. It's a one time premium with a lifetime of security. In addition, they will receive a reduced premium rate when they obtain it simultaneously with your Lender's Coverage.**
WANTED: YOUR FEEDBACK
What Topics Are On Your Mind?

Virginia Title Center wants to provide you with pertinent information in future E-Blasts and Webinars. What questions are on your mind regarding the real estate and mortgage lending industry? What topics would you like addressed in future E-blasts?  Send Patti your thoughts.
Past issues of the Virginia Title Center E-News are archived on our website HERE
Patti L. Dickerson                                      

Give us a call and let us know how we can better serve you and your team!

Director of Operations & Marketing
Virginia Title Center, LLC
Integrity. Security. Excellence.

 

Virginia Title Center is committed to serve you with unmatched expertise, exceptional customer service and a comprehensive selection of title and settlement solutions to help you grow and succeed. 

 

Our professionalism, technical knowledge and experience provide security as we insure protection for your most valued investment.