December 2005

Our thanks to SoftPro for its sponsorship of this issue of Downdate - SoftPro is the leading provider of real estate closing and title insurance software in the nation, with more than 10,000 customer sites and over 50,000 users nationwide.

IS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY "FLIPPING" OUT?

By: Jan Oates, Senior Vice President, National Escrow Administrator, Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
The real estate industry is experiencing foreclosure and mortgage fraud schemes across the country in high volume. Mortgage fraud is a growing problem due to the ongoing real estate market and interest by many of "getting rich quick." The IRS and FBI state that fraudulent transactions have more than doubled in the past few years. More story

I Just Never Know What to Say - Seven Great Tips for Networking Success

by Barbara J. Groeger
You've just been "volunteered" to attend a business seminar; or you've been invited to a business social function; or maybe you are simply participating in a company meeting. Immediately your thoughts might be: More story

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

We would like to welcome our new members to TLTA. Click here to view a list of new members approved by the TLTA Board of Directors in October and November 2005.

NEW BYLAWS ON TLTA WEBSITE

In accordance with Article Sixteen, Section 4 of the TLTA Bylaws, this is your official notice that the TLTA Board of Directors voted to amend the Bylaws on October 21, 2005. To view the redline version of the approved Bylaws amendments, please click here. To view the final updated version of the approved Bylaws amendments, please click here.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN

Become an Individual Member today and be eligible to win a Plasma TV! Individual Membership provides a way for everyone to be a part of this association and at the same time it allows us to bring thousands of title industry voices together to create one powerful statement. And as an added bonus, all new and current individual members will be eligible to win a Plasma TV in a drawing that will be held in May 2006. Click here for more information about the program and about the benefits of becoming an Individual Member.

JOIN OUR CIRCLE OF STARS!

A grassroots campaign has been developed to spread the word about becoming a TLTA Individual Member. We're hoping to increase our ranks this year, and to do that we need your help. We have developed the "Circle of Stars" to recognize those of you who recruit 10 or more Individual Members. Each TLTA "Star" will be added to the Circle of Stars page on the TLTA Web site. The person who recruits the most Individual Members during the year will be recognized with the "Super Star Award" at the 2006 Annual Conference. Click here to see our current Circle of Stars.

IN MEMORIAM - CARLOSS MORRIS

Carloss Morris, the longtime president of Stewart Title Co. and a leader of several local civic and charitable organizations, passed away November 17, 2005. More story

STEWART TITLE PIONEERS NAMED HONORARY TLTA MEMBERS

The TLTA Board voted to bestow Honorary Membership for Meritorious Service on Stewart Morris Sr. and the late Carloss Morris in July 2005 in recognition of their lifetime of contributions to the Texas Land Title Association. More story

IN SYMPATHY

We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Waldron family. Dorothy Waldron, wife of the late A. B. Waldron, TLTA Past President, and mother of Burch Waldron, who is also an active TLTA member, passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2005. For more information on where to send memorial contributions, please contact Mary Beth Kiser at the TLTA office at 800.472.1711.

FALL SEMINARS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

TLTA staff and speakers have been busy this fall with a number of educational programs, including the Central Texas Regional Seminar and Right Rules Seminar held in October in Austin. Click here for photos. Click here to view the schedule of seminars to be presented in 2006.

2006-2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

For your convenience in planning other activities, we have finalized the dates of the TLTA Annual Conference for 2006 through 2008. Click here for the dates and venues for each year.

2006 TEXAS LAND TITLE INSTITUTE - SAVE THE DATE!

The 2005 Texas Land Title Institute wrapped up last Friday with another successful series of sessions designed for Real Estate attorneys. Mark your calendar for next year's Land Title Institute scheduled for Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2006.

THE GREENSHEET

The TLTA Greensheet is the fastest, easiest way to reach thousands of people in the title industry in Texas and beyond. Whether you're advertising for a job opening or selling your business, equipment or service, an ad in the Greensheet will get immediate results! It's your online connection to industry related employment and business opportunities. Click here to view the Greensheet.

MOVING? CHANGING JOBS?

In this mobile society of ours, we know your personal and professional information changes frequently. We would like to keep pace with those changes as well as ensure that you're not missing out on any of TLTA's communication to members. Please send us your new information and we'll make sure our membership database is updated. Just send an e-mail to [email protected] and we'll do the rest!

We welcome your comments or suggestions about DOWNDATE, as well as other TLTA publications and products. Please forward information to [email protected].