Southwestern Title & Escrow

Featured Homes Of The Week

Alan Ball — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:47:11 +0000

Ginny Cerrella, Santa Fe Properties Luxury Portfolio, presents 254 A & B Tano,

www.SantaFeProperties.com/201200262

Ginny’s Bio

Born and bred in The Big Apple, I graduated from NYU and moved to Hollywood where I earned my living as a successful writer/producer. A resident of New Mexico for twenty plus years, I am on the Founders Council and Advisory Board of The Santa Fe Film Festival. A Board Member of The Governor’s Council of Film and Media and a founding faculty member of The College of Santa Fe’s Girls Film School where I taught the art of screenplay writing. I bring to Santa Fe Properties, and my clients, my unique and versatile salesmanship expertise.

Area Of Expertise
Trustworthy, dependable, precise and thorough, I pride myself on my organizational skills…Ask me once and you’ll never have to ask me again. I’m knowledgeable in the process of 1031 Exchange and the purchase of investment properties having invested in every aspect of Real Estate for over thirty years. I work with buyers and sellers in all price ranges of land, residential, and commercial real estate.

Mission Statement
Every sale or listing, whether small or large, warrants my full undivided attention. As a licensed CID (Certified Interior Designer) I am qualified to assist clients in every phase of home design from inception through the building process. Personally, not only have I designed and built my own homes, being a licensed contractor in the State of California, but I am extremely conversant in the art of renovation pertaining to Mid-Century, Modern, and Historic properties.

Why I Love Santa Fe
Three words sum up my ongoing love affair with New Mexico: “Land of Enchantment”

Best Advice To Clients
Be prepared to do your homework whether selling or buying. And enjoy the process!

Phillip Meek, Chapman Realty presents, 408 Plaza Lomas

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Phillip Meek of Chapman Realty, represents Chapman Homes in all of Santa Fe. Phillip is committed to working closely with each client offering individual attention necessary in building or finding their dream home or office. With Phillip’s real estate experience, his clients can feel confident and assured with his advice and guidance. Chapman Realty also represents a variety of sellers in Santa Fe assisting them with the sale of their existing home. Phiilip Meek, Chapman Realty, Office 505.983.8100, Cell 505.577.4588, phillip@chapmanhomes.com

Jan Kapunstinsky, Bell Tower Properties presents, 409 Plaza Lomas, Lot 33A

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Jan Kapustinsky came to New Mexico from the east coast to study Anthropology at the University of New Mexico where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a Master’s in Public Administration.

In addition to being to being a mom, she has had careers as an administrator in the private, public and non-profit sector. She also applied her aesthetic eye as an interior design assistant. Through her husband’s work, she has lived abroad with her family and traveled extensively in Europe.

Jan loves living in Santa Fe; its easy access to hiking trails, and the abundance of cultural events. Two of her favorite activities are tennis and yoga.

Jan finds real estate to be a natural fit. She loves working with people and she’s an excellent communicator. She has a thorough understanding of the NM real estate market, listens carefully, responds quickly, and keeps customers informed. Her organizational skills and attention to detail insure that each step of your real estate negotiation will run smoothly. She dedicates the time it takes to turn your objectives into a successful transaction.

Southwestern Title’s President Named Underwriting Counsel

Alan Ball — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:58:55 +0000

Alliant National Title Insurance Company appoints Tim Vigil, President of Southwestern Title and Escrow as their New Mexico Underwriting Counsel. Tim brings with him 34 years experience in real estate law. His hands on experience in the title field and escrow closing adds a dimension to his ability to help work out successful closings with difficult situations. Congratulations to Tim Vigil for a much deserved role in our industry.

In the News

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:31:35 +0000

Going back thru the full range of emotions we have experienced the last 3 years,we know we have accomplished something. We know the rules of financing have changed (are still changing) and that has kept some from purchasing, thus affecting some who hoped to sell. We now realize our homes should not have been treated like ATMs and we now understand that the value of a home does not always go up. We might feel complicit in the economic difficulties of recent years; then still wonder why we are being punished. We know there is a limited “best” time to buy, yet we have been talking for months about now being that time. And the good news is that the best time to buy will continue in 2012. The fear is gone the time is right. Now is the time to buy!!

The best news is an improvement from December 2011 over same month last year. All of your hard work may be starting to pay off. Maybe this winter will not be a predictable off season as buyers realize bargains are there and grab what they want now, while it’s available, instead of next June, when it may be gone.

Title Policies Improved to Help Policy Insured

Alan Ball — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:30:22 +0000

Effective this past fall, the standard language in an Owner’s Title Policy and a Mortgagee Title Policy will automatically be modified upon issuance of those policies.In the section known as the Standard Exceptions to title insurance, policies now are modified to automatically delete exceptions number 6, 7 and 8 (with water and water rights language remaining in # 7). These exceptions are deleted from policies issued by licensed title agents in New Mexico at no cost to any involved party. This is seen as a substantial improvement for holders of policies with the result being a stronger title policy with fewer loopholes.

Other standard exceptions, such as One thru Four, can also be deleted with certain documentation and payment of fees. Contact your title and escrow professional for more details on this change.

We offer discounts and credits where applicable on Owners and Lender policies. Saves you money at the closing table.

Why Title Insurance?

Alan Ball — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:27:31 +0000

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Title insurance companies have protected the American dream of homeownership for more than a century by providing behind-the-scenes work that strives to eliminate claims and assures homeowners that their investment in a property is protected.“Unlike insurance agents that sell other forms of insurance, title insurance agents spend the majority of their time and resources preventing claims and protecting homeowners’ property rights,” said Kurt Pfotenhauer, chief executive officer of the American Land Title Association. “A recent request by the New Mexico attorney general to decrease title insurance rates in the state highlights a lack of understanding of the title insurance industry and the preventive measures title agents take to eliminate claims and protect consumers.”

The majority of the one-time title insurance premium covers the cost to discover, identify and repair events that occurred in the past. Before a policy is issued, a title agent examines the history of a property contained in public records, where they find issues in one out of every three title searches. In order to make sure a homeowner has clear rights to a property, the title agent will scrutinize prior deeds or mortgages, divorce decrees, court judgments, delinquent taxes and child and spousal support payments, vesting, covenants, conditions and restrictions, general encumbrances, and utility or other kinds easements.

Because of these preventive measures, title insurance is fundamentally different from all other forms of insurance, which charge yearly premiums to provide insurance protection for future events.

“Besides minimizing the possibility that title hazards will threaten ownership or use of property, the concentration on risk elimination greatly reduces the number of claims to be defended against or satisfied by the insurer,” Pfotenhauer said. “The curative work performed by title agents also minimizes the fear, disruption and distress that title claims have on homeowners.”

One way to compare title insurance to other lines of insurance is to imagine if a homeowner’s insurance agent came into a home and inspected all of the wiring at no additional cost to the owner. The agent then repaired any and all faulty or frayed wiring at no cost and guaranteed that none of the wiring that was repaired or any wiring that the agent could not see, would cause a fire. Finally, the agent charged a one-time fee for the inspection, repairs and guarantee that would be in effect as long as you or your heirs owned the property.

“The title industry finds the faulty wiring, fixes the faulty wiring and charges a one-time premium to guarantee its work, based on the value of the property,” Pfotenhauer said. “Without our services, the cost of closing a home loan would skyrocket,” Pfotenhauer said. “From a single-family home purchase to a multi-million dollar commercial transaction closing simultaneously in several cities, homebuyers and investors in this country will continue to receive the protection at a level of excellence unequaled anywhere in the world.”

Pfotenhauer said consumers have a choice in selecting the provider of their title insurance related services. They can either select their own title insurance company, or choose to designate a third party, such as a real estate agent, to make a recommendation.

“The American Land Title Association is working to help educate consumers about title insurance so that they can better understand their choices and make informed decisions,” Pfotenhauer said. “We urge homebuyers, regulators and legislators to check out our consumer website, www.homeclosing101.org, to learn more about title insurance and the closing process.”

About ALTA

The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, is a national trade association representing more than 3,000 title insurance companies, title agents, independent abstracters, title searchers, and attorneys. With more than 8,000 offices throughout the United States, ALTA members conduct title searches, examinations, closings, and issue title insurance that protects real property owners and mortgage lenders against losses from defects in titles. ALTA member companies employ well over 100,000 individuals and operate in every county in the U.S., and several countries around the world.

American Land Title Association (ALTA)

100% Local 100% Pure

Alan Ball — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:24:49 +0000

Southwestern Title is a LOCAL company.

The owners, JOHN FOX and TIM VIGIL, live and work in Santa Fe. Our employees, who have over 400 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN NEW MEXICO, live in Santa Fe and Espanola. WE SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF SANTA FE AND RIO ARRIBA COUNTIES. We are 100% Local. We do not do business offshore. Our searches, examinations, binders, and policies are not performed in India, Panama, Philippeans, or other markets. Everything we do is done in New Mexico. When you do business with us, you help support the local economy and other LOCAL businesses.

DO YOU NEED ACCESS TO RECORDED DOCUMENTS in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba Counties. Email us at titlesearch@sftitles.com with your request.

New Proof That ST&E Is The Market Leader

Alan Ball — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:22:29 +0000

Recording fees at the Santa Fe County Clerk’s office indicate that Southwestern Title has consistently established itself as the market leader among title companies in the Santa Fe, New Mexico market area. These fees include the cost of recording deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, mortgage releases and any number of other documents that would be involved in a settlement process. New Mexico is a non-disclosure state, so exact information about real estate sales and mortgages is not publicly available; but recording fees traditionally have been used to compare title company market share and they are one of the more reliable measurements to rate where the area title companies stand in comparison to each other. This position is highly coveted and has not been held by a locally owned independent title company (as we proudly are!) since the early 1990s.

Southwestern Title Officer Receives Award!

Alan Ball — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:22:16 +0000

Diana Pollard, Senior Escrow Officer with Southwestern Title in Santa Fe has been awarded the most prestigious award given by the New Mexico Land Title Association. At their annual conference and retreat, the New Mexico Land Title Association awarded Ms. Diana Pollard with their Professional Excellence Award – Escrow Excellence. This comes after Ms. Pollard has been in the title and escrow business for almost 40 years, beginning in her high school years in Eastern New Mexico.
The ownership, management and staff of Southwestern Title are delighted to be associated with Ms. Pollard and are proud of her accomplishments in a difficult and stressful industry.

Diana Pollard
2011 Recipient
Professional Excellence Award
Escrow Excellence
New Mexico Land Title Association

Upcoming Events

Alan Ball — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 01:11:05 +0000

NEW Classes and Events Scheduled:

In 2012 Southwestern Title is hosting the following CE classes in the traing room of the Santa Fe Association of REALTORS:

First Things First-Info to Obtain at Listing

Scott Florez

Thursday, February 9, 2012

10:00am-12:00pm

2.0 CE”s

What’s on the HUD1 Settlement and Why?

Scott Florez

Thursday, February 9, 2012

1:00pm-3:00pm

2.0 CE’s

NAR Code of Ethics & Enforcement

Maryann Bassett

Thursday, June 14, 2012

1:00pm-5:00pm

4.0 CE’s

Time Killers Deal Killers and Other Mines in the Field

Scott Florez

Thursday, September 13, 2012

9:00am-12:00pm

3.0 CE’s

More information can be yours by phoning the Santa Fe Association of Realtors at 505-982-8385. Ask for Aggie…

Southwestern Title Sponsors Realtor Tours

Alan Ball — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:25:48 +0000

Southwestern Title, an independent title company in Santa Fe and Rio Arriba Counties wants to do its part in selling local.We sponsor Realtors’ tours and open houses listed in specific neighborhoods and developments. We have all heard that, “A Realtor will not sell a home they have not seen in person”. Virtual or physical, we continue our search wanting to be a part of the market place assisting the seller in finding a buyer or buyer finding the right home. We welcome the opportunity to explore the many avenues to success with you. Success is achieved together. Contact Otis Phillips at 505.946.2995 or OtisP@sftitles.com