News + Publications
News + Publications

ALTA’s publications and news center brings the latest information affecting the title and settlement services industry to ALTA members. Whether you are looking for industry news, practical insights on issues affecting title insurance or our suite of legal and regulatory publications we have the news you need.
- TitleNews Magazine
  The industry's essential news magazine contains vital information and analysis for industry professionals.
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  Members of the title insurance industry work daily to assist consumers in purchasing new homes and enhancing their communities.
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  HomeClosing101.org
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Advocacy
Advocacy

ALTA represents its members on a national and state level by working closely with members of Congress, state legislatures and regulators to advocate on behalf of the land title industry.
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  TIPAC is the only PAC that directly represents the interest of the title industry in our nation's political system.
- Title Action Network (TAN)
  TAN is the premier grassroots organization promoting the value of the land title insurance industry.
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Events
Events

ALTA, along with affiliated land title associations, organizes dozens of world-class meetings each year. Each event is an opportunity for you to learn from industry experts, meet industry vendors and network with your peers.
Career + Learning
Career + Learning

Since 1971 ALTA has been the source of practical knowledge and skill-based training solutions for the title insurance industry. ALTA is dedicated to providing cutting edge educational solutions to our members through several options.
- National Title Professional Designation
  The National Title Professional (NTP) Designation is designed to recognize land title professionals
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Membership
Membership

ALTA is committed to your professional development. By becoming a member of ALTA, not only do you strengthen the industry’s future, you gain access to valuable resources to help your company differentiate itself in the market.
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  You will NOT receive member benefits. ALTA is no longer utilizing an occasional use waiver as a part of the Policy Forms Licensing structure for 2024 and going forward. The Policy Forms License for limited use can be acquired for $50.
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  Interested in becoming a member of ALTA? Get answers to some of the questions we are often asked.
Business Ops
Business Ops

ALTA’s primary purpose is to help our title industry members succeed professionally. ALTA has cultivated several tools to help ALTA members measure, improve and grow their business. ALTA’s suite of tools can help you at any stage of your business venture.
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Policies + Standards
Policies + Standards

One of ALTA’s main reasons for existing is to provide the title and settlement industry with industry-specific policy forms and standards that help the industry stay compliant with current regulations.
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About
About

Founded in 1907 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ALTA is the national trade association and voice of title insurance agents, abstracters* and underwriters are Active Members, ranging from small, one-county operations, to large national title insurers in the united states.
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Topics
Topics

In our topics collection, you can stay up to speed on the most relevant issues in our industry—and learn how ALTA is engaged. Visit a topic page to find all the information ALTA has on that subject—from a summary to relevant events, educational resources, consumer and client-facing materials, business resources, and advocacy information.
- Title Waiver 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.
- Digital Closings
  ALTA strives to help members identify the benefits and risks associated with digital closings in order to put the industry in the best position to solve problems and inspire innovative ideas. ALTA is your source for tools and education about digital closings.
- Artificial Intelligence
  Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in the title insurance and settlement services sector, providing a diverse array of capabilities to enhance both efficiency and productivity.
- Cybersecurity
  Cybersecurity is a critical topic for the land title insurance and settlement industry and an ongoing threat to every title operation regardless of size, location or years in business.
- Wire Fraud
  Wire fraud is one of the biggest threats in the title industry. ALTA members must be aware of this threat and of the resources available to fight the fraud. This page includes many resources, tools and articles to help protect your company and customers from fraud.
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
  The proposed rule by U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will require title and settlement companies nationwide to report information about all-cash residential transactions nationwide involving legal entities and trusts.

Industry News

Zero Value

February 11, 2002

Cendant corp. Writes off investment in Homestore

Inman News Features

Cendant Corp. (NYSE: CD) has written off its remaining investment in Homestore (NASDAQ: HOMS), according to a Jan. 31 statement on Cendant?s Web site that provides additional accounting information about the company?s affiliated entities./

"The carrying value of the company's investment in Homestore.com has been written down to zero due to the recent market decline in Homestore.com shares and the company's equity share in the losses of Homestore.com," Cendant stated.

The statement didn?t disclose how many shares were still on the books at the time of the write-off. But Cendant?s financial results for the fourth quarter of 2001 announced this week included an after-tax non-cash charge of $285 million, or 29 cents per share, related primarily to Cendant?s Homestore investment.

"This impairment was caused by a substantial reduction in Homestore?s market value and the resulting investment write-off substantially offset the gain recognized in the first quarter of 2001 on the sale of move.com to Homestore," the company?s report stated.

The financial report also noted an after-tax loss of $21 million, or two cents per share, related to Cendant?s proportionate ownership in Homestore.

Cendant?s original investment in Homestore was put on the books a year ago when Cendant?s sold its Move.com business to Homestore in exchange for more than 20 million shares of Homestore stock, a 19 percent interest then worth upwards of $700 million. Homestore?s stock closed today at 75 cents.

Cendant?s statement also said the company "has no other commitments as it relates to this investment."

Homestore?s own financial statements have been suspended in uncertainty since December 21, when the company announced the audit committee of its board of directors had hired outside auditors and legal counsel to assist with an internal review of certain accounting practices. The company subsequently announced it had overstated its online advertising revenues in the first three quarters of last year by a preliminary estimate of $54-$95 million. No further information about the audit or the restatements has been announced since Jan. 2.

Copyright: Inman News Service

Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].