DATE: August 31, 2023
TO: Massachusetts Agents and Approved Attorneys
FROM: Massachusetts Agency
RE: What To Do If You Encounter Wire Fraud
Don’t Let Fraudsters Spoil Your Long Weekend…
Be aware the Friday before a long weekend is an especially heightened time for wire fraud. Please be extra vigilant in confirming wires […]
DATE: August 22, 2023
TO: Massachusetts Agents and Approved Attorneys
FROM: Massachusetts Agency
RE: Pillar 2 – Changes to Escrow Accounting
Pillar 2 – Changes to Escrow Accounting
ALTA Best Practices published 01-23-23 / effective 05-23-23
Escrow accounting is a critical part of the real estate closing practice; thus, […]
DATE: August 18, 2023
TO: Massachusetts Agents and Approved Attorneys
FROM: Massachusetts Underwriting Department
RE: NEW HAMPSHIRE HOMESTEAD RIGHTS IN THE WAKE OF BRADY V. SUMSKI
History
New Hampshire Homestead Rights are established by RSA 480 and historically have been applied to both a property owner and their non-title spouse at their primary […]
July 31, 2023
From the desk of:
Natalie E. Robb
VP, Massachusetts State Counsel
ALERT! INCREASED RISK OF VACANT LAND SCAMS
Recently there has been a significant increase in fraudulent transactions involving vacant land (vacant land is any land that is not improved with a habitable structure), where fraudsters are […]
DATE: July 26, 2023
TO: Massachusetts Agents and Approved Attorneys
FROM: Massachusetts Underwriting Department
RE: New 2021 Jacket Types
Effective Immediately – No Signature Will Be Required on Policy Jackets.*
New jackets with the initials “NS” in their name are now available on AgentTRAX and in your integrated conveyancing software.
July 24, 2023
From the desk of:
Sara Ann Supple, Esq.
VP, Massachusetts State Manager
RE: Massachusetts State Counsel Announcement
To Our Agents:
Effective immediately, please join me in congratulating Natalie Robb, Esquire who has been named our new Massachusetts State Counsel.
Natalie began her career in 2003 as a residential conveyancer. Prior to joining the […]
DATE: July 21, 2023
TO: Massachusetts Agents and Approved Attorneys
FROM: Massachusetts Underwriting Department
RE: 2021 ALTA Forms
The American Land Title Association (“ALTA”) has adopted new commitment, policy, and endorsement forms as of July 1, 2021 (the “2021 Forms”). The existing 2006, 2010 and 2016 ALTA commitment and policy forms were decertified […]
DATE: June 15, 2023
TO: Massachusetts Agents and Approved Attorneys
FROM: Massachusetts Underwriting Department
RE: Suffolk Registry of Deeds Closed Today, June 15, 2023 – GAP Coverage
We have been informed that Suffolk Registry of Deeds is closed today, June 15, 2023, due to a power outage.
As the registry is currently unable to […]
DATE: May 8, 2023
TO: Massachusetts Agents and Approved Attorneys
FROM: Massachusetts Underwriting Department
RE: First Republic Bank
As you may know, First Republic Bank (“FRB”) was recently seized and taken over by the FDIC which subsequently sold the bank’s assets to JP Morgan Chase. In the event that you have […]