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March 2024

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3 Types of Overthinking -- And How to Overcome Them

by Melody Wilding, Harvard Business Review


There’s no shortage of situations to overthink in today’s work world. Whether it’s fretting over the implications of a new market trend, agonizing about the tone of an email to a major client, or losing sleep over an employee’s reaction to feedback, the opportunities for leaders to get trapped in their own heads are endless. Many people look at overthinking as a monolith, when in fact there are three different types: rumination, future tripping, and overanalyzing. In this article, the author offers guidance on how to spot and handle each of the three types of overthinking. Clear HERE to learn more.

Is the Pursuit of Happiness Making Us Miserable?
The Love Languages at Work: The 5 Languages of Appreciation

Why is Fannie Mae Optimistic About a Housing Market Recovery?

by Connie Kim


The year 2024 has started with cautious optimism that mortgage rates will drop, sparking much-needed activity in the sluggish U.S. housing market. Mortgage rates, however, have been on a rising trend of late. Recent data shows that the economy is booming, while the Federal Reserve is signaling that it will take its time before cutting benchmark interest rates. Fannie Mae, however, remains optimistic that housing market activity will pick up as existing home sales and new single-family housing starts are expected to grow modestly in 2024. Click HERE to read on.

4 Success Strategies for Mortgage Originators to Thrive in 2024
Banks Report Tightened Lending Standards for Nearly All Residential Mortgages

ANNOUNCING NEW QUOTE CALCULATOR!

Works on laptop, tablet and phone

Set up Your Account to Brand Your Title Quotes, Buyer Estimates, Seller Net Sheets and More!

What To Say Instead of "I'm Sorry"

by Lisa Sun

 

Researchers have found that women apologize significantly more than men, and I believe women apologize too often. Many of us apologize out of habit, but unfortunately it hurts how we are perceived and diminishes our power. How many times do women say “sorry” as a default response, whether or not they’ve done anything wrong? Lisa Sun reports that there are three types of apologies that women fall into when we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations. She has also found that there are ways to redirect apologetic responses to make them more productive. Click HERE for the kinds of apologies women often offer—and what to say instead. 

How to Network Better So Your Business Can Thrive
The Restorative Power of Small Habits

WELCOME TO THE TEAM RACHEL HILL!



Virginia Title Center is pleased to announce that Rachel Hill has joined us as a Settlement Processor in February.


Prior to joining VTC, Rachel served as a real estate paralegal for nine years with various law firms across the state. She has extensive knowledge and professional experience interacting with a variety of Lenders, Realtors, Attorneys and clients. Rachel's utmost goal is to provide excellent customer service. She is a native of Tazewell County, where she resides with her husband, Bryon and their dog, Bear. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, participating in her local church outreach ministries, and making memories with her three stepchildren and family. Please join us in welcoming RACHEL to the team!

Community Financial Institutions: Going Beyond Being Friendly

by Jim Marous, The Financial Brand



Community banks, deeply rooted in their local domains, have played a pivotal role in supporting the financial needs of individuals, small businesses, and local economies. But the digitalization of the industry has altered the playing field. Looking forward, what are the unique advantages local financial institutions can bring to the table beyond ‘being friendly’? What are the challenges they face in competing with larger marketplace leaders? And what are the strategies management must adopt to ensure they remain future-ready. Click HERE to listen to the podcast with Jim Perry, Senior Strategist at Market Insights, Inc. to hear the discussion on how community banks can best co-exist in a marketplace that includes regional and national banks, tech companies, fintech firms and even non-financial players.

Community Banks Need a Social Media Reality Check

Brilliant Leaders Know: You Don't Have to Have All the Answers

by Lolly Daskal


Brilliant leaders recognize that having all the answers isn’t the key to success. Instead, they use inquiry and collaboration to discover insights and create effective solutions. Acknowledging their limitations and seeking others’ input, they nurture an atmosphere of growth, curiosity, and joint problem-solving. How do brilliant leaders maintain their curiosity and drive for success? Click HERE to learn how you can adopt key strategies.

5 Ways to Become an Effective Change Leader
Why Collaboration is Critical in Uncertain Times

Why It's time for Banks to Hire a Chief AI Officer -- and What That Looks Like

by Caroline Hroncich


Banks do have big plans for this technology — and tapping a chief AI officer may become more prevalent soon. Roughly 22% of leaders from banking and investment firms say they are currently implementing or already implementing generative AI, according to research from Gartner. About 22% are piloting use cases, and 30% are planning to actively implement the technology in the next six months. A leader whose sole focus is to implement and upskill staff on new AI technology and tools is needed at financial institutions right now, experts say. Click HERE to learn more.

How Dealmakers Will Navigate the Current Bank M&A Market
Heightened Banking Regulation: Here's a Plan to Turn Reality Into Opportunity

For The Real Estate Practitioner

Seventeen Real Estate Charts That Reveal the Truth About the Housing Market

For The Real Estate Enthusiast

5 Design Tips to Steal From Hotels for a Cozier and More Inviting Home
Real Estate Farming: Become the Go-To Agent In Your Area Using These Tips, Tools & Strategies
Do This to Become Your Community's Top Agent
6 Kitchen Hardware Trends That Will Transform Your Space Without Renovating
10 Questions to Ask Potential Contractors
7 Ways Real Estate Pros Can Keep More of Their Money
Homeowners Are Renting Out Their Yards to Dog Lovers
Help Your Agents Develop Habits of Top Professionals
Kitchen Trends to Watch for in 2024 - Here's What's Cooking

Virginia Title Center Keeps You Safe From Wire Fraud with CertifID


Digital banking makes moving money easier for everyone — including cyber criminals, who are getting more cunning every day. Every wire transfer you send or receive is at risk. Yet many ask if wire fraud is really that serious? Wire transfers continue to be the most frequently reported payment method for fraud with a reported aggregate loss of $2.4 Billion and an average loss of $120k per victim. And, did you know that one out of every three real estate transactions are targeted for wire fraud?


At Virginia Title Center, we take the safety of your money and your client's money seriously and now offer wire fraud protection through a partnership with CertifID. This offers end-to-end protection to keep customer information secured and insured at all times through a suite of services. CertifID makes it easy for us to securely send our wire instructions to clients and lenders; allows us to safely collect bank details from home sellers and other partners; verifies the bank details that have been provided are accurate and not tampered with; and, offers PayoffProtect to validate the authenticity of wiring instructions to ensure loan payoff payments aren't sent to fraudsters. All wire transactions are backed by Lloyd's of London and insured up to $1 million. Click HERE for a flyer you can share with your clients, and talk to your settlement processor to learn how using CertifID can protect you and your clients.

Click HERE for more information on how we can assist you.
ATTENTION LENDERS:
Important Information Regarding Receipt of Closing Packages
Virginia Title Center appreciates your support and cooperation in submitting your closing packages with clear to close no less than 24 hours before the scheduled date and time of closing.

It is the practice of our settlement processing team to review the documents submitted for accuracy prior to providing them to our closers. Often, our mobile closers need to travel up to an hour to the closing destination and also choose to review documents for questions prior to closing.

This 24 hour standard allows us to keep the client the top priority, and assure a smooth closing. A positive experience reflects favorably on you, your company, and Virginia Title Center. If your closing department is unable to meet this 24 hour prior to closing target, we will request that the closing be rescheduled.

Please share this with your team members as appropriate. Thank you for your understanding.
Why Every Buyer Needs an Owner's Policy
Owner's Policy Comparison Chart
Protect Your Clients From Wire Fraud
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Patti L. Dickerson

Director of Operations & Marketing

Virginia Title Center, LLC

1.800.468.5811 or 540.772.0585


pdickerson@virginiatitlecenter.com


www.virginiatitlecenter.com






Integrity. Security. Excellence. 


Main Office:
3565 Electric Road, SW, Suite J
Roanoke, VA 24018

Rocky Mount Office:
270 South Main Street, Suite 201
Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Blacksburg Office:
1997 South Main Street, Suite 604
Blacksburg, VA 24060
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.