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September Class Calendar

by Ask the ExpertEducationTechnology

Republic Title is pleased to offer a variety of continuing education classes for our customers. Join us in September for classes including:

The Real Deal – Mastering the TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract
This class will cover the basics of the Contracts and Addenda you’ll need to submit each time you write an offer. We will walk through the TREC 1-4 Family Contract and learn about the parts that can make or break your offer so that you can be prepared to write the strongest contracts possible for your clients.
September 6th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom (This class is offered for informational purposes only, TREC CE is not available.)

Back-up, Contingent and Multiple Offers
This class will prepare licensees to handle the unique aspects of backup, contingent and multiple offer transactions by reviewing pertinent TREC addenda along with critical dates and deadlines. APPROVED TREC CONTRACT-RELATED COURSE
September 8th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom

The Real Deal – Getting to Know Lender Products
September 13th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom (This class is offered for informational purposes only, TREC CE is not available.)

Social Media Content Planning 101
All good social media begins with a plan. Join us to learn how effective content planning and execution will keep you top of mind with your sphere and help you win more business. In this class, you will learn tips for social media content planning, where to find great content resources, and planning tools to help you organize your social media content calendar.
September 14th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Republic Title Park Cities

Is This Homestead and Why Do Title Companies Care?
Homestead rights can be very confusing! This class will help licensees understand how the State of Texas views homesteads and what factors influence the title company’s underwriting decisions.
September 15th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom

The Real Deal – Mastering Your MLS Dashboard
In this class we’ll explore the NTREIS MLS Dashboard and you’ll learn about all the vital tools that can help grow your business and some basic tips on how to get started.
September 20th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom (This class is offered for informational purposes only, TREC CE is not available.)

Attract New Clients using MLS Tools

Join us and discover a number of ways to use the tools provided by the MLS to help with consumer interest which can likely turn into sales and full-fledged customers.

In person only. NOTE: This class will be taught hands-on. If you would like to follow along during class, please bring your own laptop* (*smart phones and iPads will not work).
September 22nd
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Republic Title Southlake

Taxation and the Real Estate Agent
This class will cover issues to help REALTORS® with their personal taxes, with removing Federal Tax Liens when closing sales, and with IRS problem they or their client may have. Some of the topics discussed in this one-hour class include: Tips on Keeping Records & Recommended Forms to File, Tax Deductions You Should be Taking, How to Make Estimated Taxes Work with your Cash Flow, Tax Areas of Special Interest to REALTORS®, and How to Use the Home Office Deduction.
September 22nd
Lunch – 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Class – 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Republic Title Preston Frankford 

Mapping Tools in Matrix
One of the strongest tools available to NTREIS MLS Subscribers is the mapping tool in Matrix, but are you using it to its fullest ability? In this class, licensees will explore all the map tool functions in Matrix so you can create powerful searches for your clients who want to live in specific neighborhoods, near points of interest or certain distances to where they work.
September 23rd
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom 

Appraisals 201 – Perfecting the CMA Process – Presented by Supreme Lending
Take the guesswork out of the CMA process by learning how to make adjustments from an appraiser’s point of view. This one hour class will be presented by Sean Bone of Supreme Lending.
September 27th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Republic Title Southlake

The Real Deal – zipForm and Digital Signatures
In this class we’ll take a look at the technology tools that enable real estate agents to quickly and efficiently create digital transaction files, complete and fill in contract details, attach documents and even get them electronically signed by buyers, sellers and other parties involved in a real estate transaction.
September 27th
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Zoom (This class is offered for informational purposes only, TREC CE is not available.)

To see a current list of available classes and to register, please visit www.republictitle.com/residential-education.

What-is-a-Title-Policy

What Is A Title Policy

by Ask the ExpertReal Estate ArticlesResourcesTitle InformationVideo

A title insurance policy is an insurance policy that insures you against liens or other claims against your property.  Unlike other types of insurance, you pay the premium one time and the policy generally insures you for as long as you own the property.  In Texas, Title Insurance rates are regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance and the rate is based on the amount of coverage provided by the policy. There are two basic types of title insurance, an owner’s title policy and a loan title policy.  Most financial lenders require a loan title policy as security for their investment in your property just as they require homeowners insurance or other types of coverage for their protection.  Owner’s title insurance lets the new homeowner feel safe and confident there are no other claims as to the ownership of the insured property.  Among other matters, it ensures access to the property, gives the homeowner the right to occupy the property, and provides indefeasible title. 

For more information, go to Blog for videos like this and other helpful information. Blog | REPUBLIC TITLE

Mapping-Tools-in-Matrix-

NTREIS Phasing Out Areas and Subareas

by Ask the ExpertEducationReal Estate ArticlesResources

Over the next few months NTREIS users will be experiencing the phasing out of areas and subareas. NTREIS is rebuilding the Matrix system to be in compliance with the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) data dictionary. Through this process, the area/subarea fields will not be included. The decision was made over two years ago to remove areas and subareas. The reasons for doing so are many:

  • Area boundaries are subjective; some are school boundaries which change, others are neighborhood or street boundaries.
  • Area identifiers are not useful to consumers.
  • The vendor that updated the geo boundaries for our area maps is no longer available for that service.
  • Subjective area boundaries can be likened to the “redlining” maps of old and any suggestion of discriminatory steering has no place in the future of this industry.

NTREIS has been encouraging the use of the digital mapping layers and custom shapes for searches—consumers have become comfortable with digital mapping and agents should use the same tools their customers use. However, many of NTREIS statistics were based on area identifiers and they are embedded in several tools, so it has been a long processes to get to the point where they can be phased out.

The steps to be taken over the next 60-90 days are:

  • Texas A&M has been using other geo identifier in working with statistics for the Texas REALTORS® Data Relevance Project.
  • The area breakdowns will be removed from the NTREIS statistical reporting.
  • NTREIS Trends will be removing the Area criteria option for creating reports.
  • Area/Subarea fields are being removed from IDX data feeds and we are working with those vendors for Broker tools.
  • Any remaining NTREIS products that use Areas in search criteria are in the process of removing those.
  • Notifications to users will be sent out notifying them that they need to remove that search criteria from saved searches.
  • Area/Subarea will be removed from the Realist auto-pop.
  • Area/Subarea will be removed from the input screen and displays.

Make sure to join Annette Carvalho-Jordan, VP/Real Estate Technology Trainer, for our Mapping Tools in Matrix class on January 12th. In this class, we will explore all the map tool functions in Matrix so you can create powerful searches for your clients who want to live in specific neighborhoods, near points of interest or certain distances to where they work.

Courtesy of MetroTex Association of Realtors

Real-Deal-New-Agent-Series-Blog

The Real Deal: Your Best Year Ever Class Series

by Ask the ExpertEducation

Our popular The Real Deal New Agent Class Series is back for 2022, and this time the theme is “Your Best Year Ever”. This series is a special group of classes specifically designed for agents who have been licensed less than one year, and are just starting out and building their businesses from the ground up. We will discuss five areas that new agents need to know in order to plan a successful year and move you forward to be a better REALTOR® to your clients.

The Real Deal – Your Best Year Ever: Planning for Success
In this first class of our newest Real Deal series, Janet Allen & Shaun Neidigh will discuss promoting yourself, creating your vendor team, and laying out your business plan for the year. Learn how to make your plans actionable so you can hit the ground running into your best year ever.

The Real Deal – Your Best Year Ever: Mastering the Deal with Your MLS Dashboard
In this class we’ll explore the NTREIS MLS Dashboard and you’ll learn about all the vital tools that can help grow your business and some basic tips on how to get started.

The Real Deal – Your Best Year Ever: Mastering the Contract
This class will cover the basics of the Contracts and Addenda you’ll need to submit each time you write an offer. We will walk through the TREC 1-4 Family Contract and learn about the parts that can make or break your offer so that you can be prepared to write the strongest contracts possible for your clients.

The Real Deal – Your Best Year Ever: zipForm® & Digital Signatures
In this class we’ll take a look at the technology tools that enable real estate agents to quickly and efficiently create digital transaction files, complete and fill in contract details, attach documents and even get them electronically signed by buyers, sellers and other parties involved in a real estate transaction.

The Real Deal – Your Best Year Ever: Bring It All Together – Resources & Marketing Tools
In this class, you’ll discover the tools and resources that will make you a valuable resource to your clients. Learn about some of the best marketing resources available to real estate agents for marketing your personal brand and your business.

To see a current list of available classes and to register, please visit www.republictitle.com/residential-education.

Real-Deal-New-Agent-Series-Blog

The Real Deal Part 4: Winning More and More Deals

by Ask the ExpertEducationResources

We are excited to introduce our new series for new real estate agents called The Real Deal. You are not going to want to miss this information-packed series. This class will be taught by Janet Allen and Shaun Neidigh and will cover lead generation, winning listing appointments, prospect and client follow-up and more.

The Real Deal New Agent Class Series is a special group of classes specifically designed for agents who have been licensed less than one year, who are just starting out and building their businesses from the ground up. We will dive into five of the most important areas that new agents need to know about to help you establish your business and be a better REALTOR® to your clients.

To register for The Real Deal series visit our website: We are excited to introduce our new series for new real estate agents called The Real Deal. You are not going to want to miss this information-packed series. This class will be taught by Janet Allen and Shaun Neidigh and will cover lead generation, winning listing appointments, prospect and client follow-up and more. The Real Deal New Agent Class Series is a special group of classes specifically designed for agents who have been licensed less than one year, who are just starting out and building their businesses from the ground up. We will dive into five of the most important areas that new agents need to know about to help you establish your business and be a better REALTOR® to your clients.

To register for The Real Deal series visit our website: https://www.republictitle.com/residential-education/

Real-Deal-New-Agent-Series-Blog

The Real Deal Part 2: Making the Deal with Lenders

by Ask the ExpertEducationResources

We are excited to introduce our new series for new real estate agents called The Real Deal. You are not going to want to miss this information-packed series. The second class is all about Making the deal with Lenders. Shaun Neidigh will be teaching you all about Buyers and pre-qualifications, Loan Estimates, The mortgage process, And the Closing Disclosure,

The Real Deal New Agent Class Series is a special group of classes specifically designed for agents who have been licensed less than one year, who are just starting out and building their businesses from the ground up. We will dive into five of the most important areas that new agents need to know about to help you establish your business and be a better REALTOR® to your clients.

To register for The Real Deal series visit our website: https://www.republictitle.com/residential-education/

Real-Deal-New-Agent-Series-Blog

The Real Deal Part 1 – Mastering the Deal with your MLS Subscription

by Ask the ExpertEducationResources

We are excited to introduce our new series for new real estate agents called The Real Deal. You are not going to want to miss this information-packed series. The first class is all about mastering the deal using your MLS subscription. Annette Carvalho-Jordan will be teaching you all the ins and outs of MLS including understanding the dashboard, the vital tools available to grow your business, and tips to better help your clients,

The Real Deal New Agent Class Series is a special group of classes specifically designed for agents who have been licensed less than one year, who are just starting out and building their businesses from the ground up. We will dive into five of the most important areas that new agents need to know about to help you establish your business and be a better REALTOR® to your clients.

To register for The Real Deal series visit our website: https://www.republictitle.com/residential-education/

Fair Housing Awareness

Fair Housing Awareness in a Strong Sellers Market

by Ask the ExpertReal Estate ArticlesResourcesVideo
Next up is the third and final video in our series on navigating a strong seller’s market where we discuss those buyer “love letters” that sometimes accompany contracts in a multiple offer situation.
 
Key takeaways:
– They can bring legal trouble to the seller
– Selling agents should let buying agents know that they will not accept them
– There are similar implications that sellers need to be aware of in regards to home surveillance systems in the home that are recording during showings
 
For the first and second videos in this series and other informative real estate and title videos, visit our YouTube page at youtube.com/republictitle
 
For more information or to get in contact with your Business Development Representative at Republic Title visit: https://www.republictitle.com/residen​​… To download our top resources to boost your business visit: https://www.republictitle.com/residen​​… SUBSCRIBE to the Republic Title YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/republictit​​…

What You Should Know About Earnest Money

by Ask the ExpertResourcesVideo

Hello, Sheri Groom with Republic Title and I’m here with Wade Bogdan, Residential Counsel and we wanted to visit a little bit today about earnest money and the purpose of that with a contract.  So can you help talk a little bit about that?

Yes.  Traditionally earnest money was put in place so that people knew that you were going to try to purchase a property in earnest so basically you’re showing someone that you are serious about purchasing their property.

I like that so earnest and then earnest money. That’s great.  So if there’s no earnest money given does that mean there’s not a valid contract?

So actually that’s a common misnomer. So currently now in common day, you do not need earnest money to have a proper contract.  However, the contract does have a section for earnest money and actually most importantly now the contract was just changed to add a three day time limit for getting your earnest money in after execution of the contract which is pretty much the most important thing that’s going on with earnest money currently.

That’s good information because we would get asked that a lot.  Like do we have to have it? Is it still a valid contract?

So if you have any additional questions, please go to our website and look for our complete list of attorneys or reach out to your favorite business development rep  or your favorite closer.

 

What is Survey Deletion Coverage?

by Ask the ExpertReal Estate ArticlesResourcesVideo

Survey Deletion Coverage is often also referred to as “Survey Deletion”, “Survey Amendment”, and “Survey Coverage.”  When survey deletion coverage is given in the title policy it offers Buyers protection for errors or omissions that may have been made by the surveyor and accepted by the title company by changing the language in the “standard exception” of the title policy to read “Shortages in Area” only.  The “standard survey exception” in a title commitment or policy (before being amended) reads:

“Any discrepancies, conflicts, or shortage in area or boundary lines, or any encroachments or protrusions, or any overlapping of improvements.”

 Upon receipt of an acceptable survey, the title company may amend this exception to read “Shortages in area” only.   Things that a title company will look at to determine if a survey will be acceptable include, but are not limited to, the following:  that items noted on the survey are listed in the title commitment, verify the legal description, check platted building lines and platted easements, and other matters such as the seal and signature of the engineer, date of the survey, and north directional arrow. 

Survey Deletion is addressed in paragraph 6. A. (8) of the TREC One to Four Family Residential Contract, where the parties select between the options of amending or not amending the standard exception in the title policy and who will be responsible for the payment of the premium.

There are other issues that may show up in the review of a survey, such as a building or driveway or fence over a building line, or into a platted easement.  When this happens, the title company may still accept the survey and amend the standard exception to read “Shortages in Area” only, but will generally add a special exception on Schedule B of the title commitment and owner’s title policy for any of these issues that were shown on the survey.              

The cost of survey deletion coverage on residential transactions is 5% of the Owners Title Policy Premium, and is 15% of the Owner Title Policy Premium in a commercial transaction.

For more information on Survey Deletion Coverage, download our Survey Deletion Coverage Q&A flyer