PCT's Team Forkel

Walk To End Alzheimer's at Angel Stadium | Nov. 16, 2013

Walk To End Alzheimer's at Angel Stadium | Nov. 16, 2013 from Socially Savvy PR

Homes 4 Love Team will be there stop by our both or join our team and walk with us to fight this terrible disease. 

For more about Homes4Love visit our website!

Dedicated to Enhancing the Integrity, Honesty and Professionalism in the Real Estate Industry

Fidelity Competes with California Agents for Listings and Home Sales!

Posted by RE-Insider on 5/16/13 • Categorized as Feature Stories

Breaking News! Fidelity is competing directly with real estate agents for the tight inventory of available homes for sale in California.

Did you know that Fidelity National Financial, Inc. “Fidelity” owns 100% of at least one California real estate brokerage company?

We just learned that J. Rockcliff, Inc. is a Fidelity-owned company. According to their own website, they are one of the fastest growing real estate companies in California with offices in eight (8) cities and they have hundreds of agents.

Interestingly, the J. Rockcliff website does not appear to disclose the Fidelity ownership. We learned of this ownership through an “Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure Statement.” In the document, Fidelity discloses that it owns 100% of the real estate brokerage firm, thus competing directly with brokers and agents in the residential market. The Disclosure Statement further reveals that their affiliated settlement service providers are also owned by Fidelity.

What could be a ground breaking first in the real estate industry, is that Fidelity, by way of its ownership in a brokerage firm is now doing business in every facet of the real estate industry. This includes escrow, title, NHD, home warranty and now home sales! So every dollar you spend on Fidelity products and services, may be funding their expansion into your business.

By the way, Fidelity also discloses in the same document that Fidelity subsidiaries own 100% of Disclosure Source NHD, Chicago Title, Ticor Title, and many Fidelity-branded settlement services. They also own 40% of Pacific Coast Title Company. Click here to view the Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure Statement. This is a real client document so the names were removed to protect their privacy. Also, at the top of J. Rockcliff’s website, the Fidelity-owned broker discloses that they use Transaction Point, which was previously owned or affiliated with Fidelity and which was the subject of a multi-million dollar settlement with HUD based on alleged RESPA violations.

Would you send your settlement services business to a competing brokerage?

Are you as surprised as we are to learn about this business relationship? Will this change the way you do business with Fidelity? We want to know!

ALTA Lenders Title Policy

ALTA LENDERS POLICY

The ALTA Lenders Policy is for institutional lenders only (such as banks and savings and loans). It insures lender priority and the fact that it is marketable. It covers both recorded matters as well as unrecorded matters such as:

Encroachments
Unrecorded easements
Access
Loss of priority
Unrecorded liens and encumbrances.
The coverage on this policy is quite broad. A survey or inspection is often required before a policy is issued This policy can be issued on all types of real property.

ALTA Residential Title Policy

ALTA RESIDENTIAL POLICY

The ALTA Residential Policy is an owner’s policy insuring owners of 1-4 family residential lots or condominium units. In addition to the basic coverage provided by the CLTA policy, the ALTA residential policy protects the insured against losses caused by:

Mechanic Liens (labor and material liens) arising out of work done on the property which the insured did not agree to or agree to pay for
Major encroachments – The insured is protected against forced removal of an existing structure (other than a boundary wall or fence) because it extends onto adjoining land or onto an easement
Unrecorded interest arising from off record leases, contracts or option
Zoning Compliance (as long as property in question and zoning are both residential) CC&Rs compliance
Most title companies will insure a seller carry back deed of trust under an ALTA residential policy by endorsement (an addendum to a title policy with a small additional cost). This is the only type of deed of trust that may be insured under this policy.

What Happens when Mortgage Loan is sold to another Lender?

Follow My Blog to find answers to commonly asked Questions pertaining to the Real Estate Industry, Title Insurance, and Escrow services. Remember is it always wise to consult with a licensed professional in your area for the best more current laws and regulations. Sara

How to Get Real Estate Leads by Door Knocking

You can generate real estate leads through door knocking!

Going door knocking is often a scary concept for real estate agents. The misconception
is that your presence will be unwelcome. On the contrary, this can be more effective than
direct mailing or calling. There are a few rules to follow that will make even the people
who don't like solicitors enjoy your visits. All you really need to know is how to do it right.

Visit an area where you or your office has a listing or just sold a home.
Don't just find a house and start knocking. Start with homes close to the
listed home, then fan out.

Create an address log containing a list of every house you intend to
visit.Your log should have each address listed one after another. Leave
a little space for notes, such as: "Never answers the door," or, "Growing
family may be ready to buy a another house in June."

Ring the door bell and then take a step or two back. People sometimes
feel a little scared when there is a stranger standing too close to the door.
This is especially true if you are male. Put a soft smile on your face and
enjoy the uniqueness of their porch and yard instead of waiting anxiously
for the home owner to answer.

Ring the door bell and knock on the door, then wait 30 seconds.There may
be an elderly or disabled person inside who can't make it to the door in
less than 30 seconds. If no one answers, knock again and wait another 30
seconds before moving on.

Come bearing gifts. You can buy calendars, refrigerator magnates, pens,
notepads and other convenient goodies for a nominal cost with your name,
phone number and address on them. Something useful with your name on
it is less likely than a business card to be thrown away.

Introduce yourself. Let the homeowner know who you are and what you
do, but don't jump in and ask if she wants to sell her home or knows
anyone who does. Instead, start by explaining that you just listed/sold
a house down the street and want to get to know the area. Give the
homeowner your card and the gift and let her know if she ever needs your
services, or knows anyone who does, feel free to contact you anytime.

Find out a little bit about the homeowner if she seems receptive and keep
track of it in your log. Some people will be glad to tell you what neighbors
might need your services, how happy they are living in the area or if there's
a certain house you might want to avoid.

Continue visiting houses for three months. Then start back at the first
house again. Bring your handy log and return bearing gifts. By then you'll
get an idea who is happy to see you and what leads are going nowhere.
After they've seen you four times in the past year, some will know and trust
you. So when they want to buy or sell a property, or know someone who
does, they're going to call you.