Top 10 Most Read Articles of 2025
December 30, 2025
Topics such as FinCEN, new endorsements, artificial intelligence, fraud and liability dominated headlines throughout the year. What was your favorite? Read on to view the most read articles of 2025.
10. Key Updates to the 2026 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards
ALTA and National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) have adopted the revised 2026 Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys. The updated standards go into effect February 23, 2026, and will replace the 2021 version as of that date. Read on for a summary of the changes.
9. Fannie Mae Updates List of Underwriters Approved to Handle Funding for Multifamily Deals
Fannie Mae updated its list of title insurance underwriters approved to perform funding functions—except where limited by law—for multifamily mortgages. There are now 16 approved underwriters.
8. AI, Deepfakes and the New Face of Fraud in Real Estate
Imagine receiving a voice call from a familiar lender, followed by an email that looks exactly right. You change the wire instructions as requested—only to find out later the entire exchange was fake. The voice? AI-generated. The email? Crafted using stolen data. The money? Gone. This chilling scenario isn’t science fiction—it’s real, and it's happening in the real estate industry with alarming frequency.
7. Title and Settlement Companies Face Substantial Cost to Comply With FinCEN’s AML Real Estate Rule
FinCEN’s final rule requiring certain industry professionals to report information to the agency about non-financed transfers of residential real estate to a legal entity or trust will have a significant financial and process impact on title and settlement companies. FinCen estimates the rule will require about 800,000 to 850,000 reports to be filed annually. Read on to learn much time it's estimated to gather and report this information, how much the regulation will cost the industry and what changes ALTA has suggested FinCEN make to the rule. ALTA will host a two-day virtual bootcamp to help title and settlement companies prepare for the rule.
6. Qualia Acquires RamQuest, E-Closing
The deal allows Qualia to expand the capabilities of title production offerings, which Old Republic will use to support its direct division, agents and customers.
5. Right of Access Does Not Insure Right to Travel Within One’s Property
This case involves a title insurance claim concerning property located in Halfmoon Lake in Michigan. It arises out of an access endorsement provided by Old Republic. The insured bought several lots on the “Treasure Island” peninsula, with a common address of 14620 Edgewater Drive and 14600 Edgewater Drive. Ryan C. Squire from Garrett & Tully and editor of the Title Insurance Law Journal, provided analysis of this ruling.
4. Federal Court Holds Bank not Liable for Fraudulent Wire Transfer
Stephen Gregory, claims and underwriting counsel for WFG National Title Insurance Co., and a member of the bar in North Dakota, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia, provided today’s review of a decision by a U.S. District Court in Michigan addressing a bank’s liability for a wire that was sent to a fraudulent account. Read on to learn why this case is important for the title and settlement industry.
3. HUD to Modify Procedures for Partial Claim Payoffs, Extend Recording Time
In a draft Mortgagee Letter, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it will extend the time allowed to record partial claim security instruments. The agency also will establish a new procedure for mortgagees to obtain and provide partial claim payoff statements.
2. ALTA Releases Endorsements to Protect Against Forgery, Seller Impersonation Fraud
ALTA announced the publication of two new policy endorsements designed to help protect homeowners from the growing threat of seller impersonation fraud, which occurs when criminals forge documents in order to sell someone else’s real estate and steal the proceeds. The endorsements will allow new and existing homeowners to add coverage that offers post-policy protection against forgery of a deed or mortgage.
1. ALTA Develops Forms to Aid Compliance With FinCEN AML Rule
ALTA has developed two forms to assist the industry in collecting information needed to comply with FinCEN's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rule for residential real estate transactions. ALTA’s AML Work Group developed collection forms for buyers and sellers.
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].