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Remembering Lou Ohly, Director Emeritus

posted Aug 9, 2019, 12:02 PM by web admin

  
It is with profound sadness that ATGF announces the passing of Director Emeritus, Lou Ohly, on August 6 in Rochester, Minnesota. Lou was recently predeceased by his wife, Beverly, in July. Condolences can be left at mackenfuneralhome.com/memorial-services/louis-m-ohly/.

Lou joined ATGF's Board of Directors more than 20 years ago and remained an eternally optimistic member throughout. An attorney who began practice in 1971, Lou was highly respected by everyone at ATGF and Minnesota's legal community. Our thoughts are with the entire Ohly family who prefer memorials to Rochester Ronald McDonald House: www.rmhmn.org/donate/.

First Title Policy in Arizona Signals Era of Expansion for ATGF

posted Jun 11, 2019, 7:20 AM by web admin   [ updated Jun 11, 2019, 7:24 AM ]

Denver, Colorado 
June 11, 2019 

Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATGF) has issued its first Arizona title policy through Sonoran Desert Title Agency in Phoenix.  "We are pleased to have an independent agency be the first to issue a title policy for us in Arizona," says Brian Phillips, CEO of ATGF.

"With consolidation and other changes at national underwriters, this opens significant opportunities for a stable, regional underwriter with a proven track record of supporting independent title agents. That's where ATGF fits into the Arizona marketplace," Phillips stated. "Independent agents need a strong partner that will work with them - not against them," he continued.

ATGF has more than 50 years of underwriting expertise to offer title agents. Arizona was selected for expansion due to proximity and potential for overlap with ATGF's operations in Colorado and Utah. Brian Phillips explains his vision, "As pleased as we are to be issuing our first Arizona title policy, we're expanding our footprint in the state. Arizona's real estate consumers deserve a viable alternative to the somewhat impersonal service that can be experienced through a national underwriter."

Signaling an Era of Controlled Expansion for ATGF

The effort to become a licensed underwriter in Arizona was spearheaded by ATGF's President, Eric Morgan. "We've received Certificates of Authority in seven other states, and are currently working on eleven more," stated Morgan. ATGF will take a measured approach in expansion. "Receiving approval is step one," continued Morgan. "We will make certain we're providing exceptional service in Arizona before we move into another state."

Nevada, where a Certificate of Authority has been issued, is currently slated to be the state where ATGF moves next. "There are many states that can benefit from what ATGF has to offer, but we remain committed to expanding in a rational, controlled manner," added Brian Phillips.

Combining Title Insurance and Technology

ATGF is unique in the title insurance industry as it also offers the proprietary web-based EPIC (Electronic Policy Issuance Capability) title production and underwriting system. EPIC is a tool that can dramatically streamline the entire process without imposing a financial burden on the agent. ATGF provides the system to all its agents for free.

About Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.

Founded in 1960, ATGF has been providing best in class title insurance underwriting and services for more than 50 years.  The company's mission is helping agents succeed through trusted products and services, innovative technology and amazing support.  The company currently pursues this mission by underwriting, training and supporting agents in Colorado, Utah, Minnesota, North Dakota and Arizona.  ATGF has maintained a strong Financial Stability Rating(r) (FSR) of A, Exceptional, from the independent rating agency, Demotech, Inc. For more information on ATGF or EPIC, contact ATGF's CEO, Brian Phillips at bphillips@atgf.net or 303-383-4333. www.atgf.net

| Attachments: ATGF Arizona Press Release June 11 2019.pdf

Trust the Financial Strength and Stability of ATGF!

posted Jun 10, 2019, 10:39 AM by web admin   [ updated Jun 10, 2019, 10:41 AM ]

Financial Strength Infographic

ATGF Education Series- Bankruptcy & Your Title Examination 101 & 201

posted Apr 4, 2019, 2:44 PM by Kim Whitlock

TO REGISTER FOR MONDAY APRIL 8TH CLICK HERE: Bankruptcy & Your Title Examination 101

TO REGISTER FOR MONDAY APRIL 15TH CLICK HERE: Bankruptcy & Your Title Examination 201


| Attachments: ATGF-BK-Classes-APRIL.pdf

What Is Title Insurance?

posted Feb 5, 2019, 4:09 PM by web admin   [ updated Feb 7, 2019, 6:14 AM ]

Title insurance is your assurance that title to your property
is free and clear of anything that would hinder your ability to sell or borrow against your property.


What is Title Insurance?

    • Protects you and your heirs as long as you or your heirs own the property.
    • Protects you from events that happened in the past.
    • You only pay for the premium once, unlike other types of insurance.

Who Needs Title Insurance?

    • Mortgage Lenders
    • Buyers and Owners of Property

This unique form of insurance protects you from past events. These could be unpaid debts, misinterpretation of instruments (like wills and deeds), forged documents, undisclosed heirs, judgments against previous owners.

An Owner’s Title Policy can protect you from unforeseen problems that limit your use and enjoyment of the property and bring financial loss. Only an Owner’s Policy fully protects you should a covered title problem come up that was not found during the title exam.

Most mortgage lenders require you to pay for a Lender’s Policy, which insures the validity and position of their lien, and protects them for the amount of the loan.

Talk to an Independent Title Agent about your Title Insurance options


What's the difference between Special & General Warranty Deeds?

posted Feb 5, 2019, 4:09 PM by web admin   [ updated Feb 7, 2019, 6:14 AM ]

Comparing Special Warranty Deeds to General Warranty Deeds.

In Colorado, the Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate has historically favored the use of a General Warranty Deed. As of January 1, 2019 the default under the Contract is a Special Warranty Deed. While there are some differences, do not be afraid to use a Special Warranty Deed.

Special Warranty Deed

As a seller you only warrant against defects occurring during your ownership. Why should you warrant for problems created by prior owners?

Related Posts

General Warranty Deed

As a seller you warrant against all defects back to Patent (1876 in Colorado). No matter how long you owned the property, you are potentially liable to the buyer and all future owners for all past defects occurring on title.

Your title insurance policy protects you against defects that arose prior to your immediate seller’s period of ownership. Don’t forget, you will one day be a seller and do not want to be liable for defects that arose prior to your ownership.

That’s what title insurance is for.

Both Special and General Warranty deeds guarantee that:

    • The seller owns the property 
    • The seller is legally permitted to sell the property 
    • The property has not already been sold

Talk to an Independent Title Agent about your Title Insurance options

Ever Wonder How a Title Policy is Made?

posted Feb 5, 2019, 3:47 PM by web admin   [ updated Feb 7, 2019, 6:15 AM ]

The Life of a Title Order. 

Many buyers receive a Title Policy after closing. Much important work has been done behind the scenes to protect your interest in the new property. This simple infographic can help you understand how a title policy is made.  

 How a Title Policy is made infographic

 

Related Posts

How a Title Policy is Made

  1. Title Order Opened
    The order is opened based on information in the executed sales contract. 

  2. Title Search & Examination
    Various public records are searched to identify potential title risks. The results of the search determine requirements (documents needed in order to complete the deal) and exceptions (items the title company will not insure). 

  3. Title Commitment
    This commitment is to insure title on the subject property and includes amount of coverage, who is covered, policy terms & conditions, and any limitations of coverage. 

  4. Curative Matters
    The title company takes action to correct (or cure) title issues, or insure around/against the identified issue(s).

  5. Closing
    Once matters have been resolved, and the lender has given their final approval of the loan’s financial details, the deal  is clear to close. An appointment is set for the closing, where the buyers and sellers sign necessary paperwork.

  6. Post-Closing Processing
    If all items are satisfactory to the lender, they fund the loan. All parties are notified once they receive the buyers’ funds from the lender. The Escrow Officer records all related documents with the County Clerk and Recorder.

  7. Congratulations! Your Title Policy Is Issued!
    Within 30 days of closing the transaction, if all Requirements listed on the Title Commitment have been satisfied, the final Policy is issued to the buyer.

Talk to an Independent Title Agent about your Title Insurance options



Advanced Property Search Special Offer for ATGF Agents

posted Feb 5, 2019, 5:38 AM by web admin   [ updated Feb 5, 2019, 11:05 AM ]

A Special Offer for ATGF Agents.  

TitleFlex by DataTrace is a property research, farming and customer service solution that helps you serve customers quickly and build continued loyalty to a company your customers already trust — yours. We've collaborated with TitleFlex to arrange a special offer for ATGF agents: a free 30-day trial and preferred pricing at the end of your trial period.

How to Take Advantage of this Offer

  1. Signup for the free 30-day trial before March 15, 2019
  2. Review the short videos or helpful tutorials to get you started
  3. After your free trial, you'll be eligible for preferred pricing

Sign up by March 15

More About TitleFlex. 

Advanced Real Estate Research and Customer Service: 
  • Access Nationwide Property Data 
    • Custom labeled Property Profiles Packages 
    • True GIS Farm Painting without limits to county 
    • HOA Liens 
    • School Attendance Zones (High School, Middle School & Elementary) 
    • Multiple Owned Properties by Owner 
    • Fraud Alert and more… 
  • Acquire Recorded Documents & Assessor Maps via a Direct Link 
  • Gain Insight Via The Data Extracted from Property Reports including TotalView 
  • Obtain Property Values with the TitleFlex AVM and API 
For more information about TitleFlex contact:

Danny Reyes
Sales Account Executive 
(714) 250-3965 

Changes to the Contract to Buy and Sell Real Estate go into effect on January 1, 2019.

posted Jan 7, 2019, 7:48 AM by Kim Whitlock


| Attachments: 2019 Contract-Bulletin.pdf

ATGF Gives Local Families the Christmas They Otherwise Couldn’t Afford This Year

posted Dec 19, 2018, 12:27 PM by Kim Whitlock

One of the real joys of the Holiday Season is the opportunity to say thank you and wish you the very best for the New Year.  We are incredibly grateful to all of our agents who helped make 2018 one of our best years to date.  Instead of seasonal cards or boxes of chocolates, this year ATGF has adopted local families that need a little extra help making this Christmas special. Indeed, today the office is full of the sound of presents being wrapped by our team.

 

ATGF’s first ever Adopt-a-Family initiative is a by-product of a fundraising event the company conducted last summer for HomeAid Colorado. HomeAid connected ATGF with its partner organization Foster Source, “where we found two beautiful families who could use a little help this year,” says Devin Storms, Agency Manager at ATGF, Inc.

 

Foster Source supports foster parents to begin the healing process in vulnerable children. Most of their client­–foster parents have three or more children. Some take in many more.


How many? One of the two ATGF is supporting has ten children! They range in ages from 1 to 20. The other family has six, ages 2 to 18. 

 

ATGF wanted to make a real difference one on one with these kids, so we asked some questions to learn more about them. We had so much fun shopping for them, but nothing compares to the joy and the smiles we saw when we delivered those presents to the families. “ATGF is pleased to have helped bring smiles to these beautiful families’ faces,” says Mrs. Storms.  In fact, several ATGF employees contributed personal funds to make sure that everyone received something really special.

 

It really is better to give than to receive.

 

“There’s so much need right here in our own community,” says Storms. “And it feels so good to give that we encourage our partners, clients and team members to join the Adopt-a-Family initiative too.”  We could not do this without your business throughout the year






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