Advocacy

Title Acceptance Pilot

The Biden Administration released a plan aimed at lowering housing costs that includes a pilot to waive the requirement for lender’s title insurance on certain refinances. ALTA called the announcement a political gesture offering a false promise of savings for homeowners while exposing consumers, lenders and taxpayers to greater financial risk.

Unregulated Alternatives to Title Insurance

ALTA continues to take the lead in engaging with state regulators, the FHFA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and lenders about the risks of waiving title insurance requirements.

FinCEN

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) requires title companies to collect and report beneficial ownership information on certain real estate transactions.

Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Service

ALTA supports efforts to protect consumers by prohibiting the filing of unfair real estate fee agreements in property records. ALTA advocates for state laws and regulations preventing enforcement of NTRAPS.

Good Funds

The use of various payment rails in real estate transactions is governed by state Good Funds laws. These laws set requirements for acceptable forms of closing funds.

Seller Impersonation Fraud

Sophisticated fraudsters are using the real property owner’s Social Security and driver’s license numbers in the transaction, as well as legitimate notary credentials, which may be applied without the notary’s knowledge.

 Five Questions About Values in the Title Industry

September 25, 2025

A company’s values are the cornerstone of its culture. They are the basis of how a business functions. They set you apart from the competition, make you unique and are essential to achieving an organization’s goals. In this article, we talk with Amy Gregory, chief administrative officer/president of title operations of Florida Agency Network, who shares why ALTA’s Our Values are important for the industry and her company.

 ALTA Urges FinCEN to Delay AML Real Estate Reporting Rule

September 18, 2025

ALTA sent a letter to Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Director Andrea Gacki urging the agency to delay the Dec. 1 effective date of FinCEN’s anti-money laundering (AML) rule for residential real estate transactions.

 Virginia Insurance Commissioner Issues Warning About AOLs

September 11, 2025

In a letter on Sept. 9, Virginia Commissioner of Insurance Scott White warned consumers and companies offering title insurance alternatives such as attorney opinion letters (AOLs) that these products are prohibited from providing the same or similar protections as title insurance. The bureau advises entities issuing AOLs in Virginia to exercise caution to ensure that they avoid engaging in the business of insurance.

 Utah Regulator Revokes Title Company License for Closing Deals With AOLs

July 15, 2025

The Utah Insurance Department on July 14 revoked the license of a title company for numerous violations, including closing transactions through the UWM Trac Loan program and accepting attorney opinion letters (AOLs) in lieu of lender’s policies.

MV Realty Begins Terminating 40-Year Contracts in Florida

June 26, 2025

MV Realty has started releasing Florida homeowners from its 40-year predatory contracts nearly four months after the 13th Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, Fla., ordered the brokerage to terminate the agreements. 

 New Hampshire Bans Unfair Real Estate Fee Agreements

June 24, 2025

New Hampshire joined 31 other states passing bills that protect homeowners from the predatory practice of filing unfair real estate fee agreements in property records, known as Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Services (NTRAPS).