By Mauri Hawkins, Chief Claims Counsel, Alliant National Title Insurance Company As we enter the final weeks of 2025, we have an opportunity to look back at the overall real estate market and the title insurance industry. With the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates this year, mortgage rates have decreased – but nowhere near the lower rates seen in 2021. …
Estates And Probates: Are All The Heirs Present?
By Mauri Hawkins It is difficult to admit it, but we are all getting older – day by day. For many of us, and for our family members, we must actively think about how we may want to distribute our assets when we pass away. Our assets may include personal property, financial accounts, investments such as stocks and bonds, and …
Claims Tails: Top 7 Lender Foreclosure Issues, and How to Avoid Them
As borrowers struggle with increased prices for almost everything, it’s no surprise that making monthly mortgage payments has also been an issue. In the last few years, it has been reported that foreclosures have steadily increased.[1] Thus, lenders have sought to exercise their rights granted under either a mortgage, security deed, or deed of trust to force a sale of the …
A Claims Tale: All Mortgages Are Not Created Equal – HELOC Mortgage Payoff
Dealing with mortgages and deeds of trusts in a transaction seems fairly easy to address at a closing, you would think. On occasion, we see a security instrument known as the Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Mortgage or Deed of Trust – a revolving credit line secured by the home’s equity – that is not treated the same way …




