Market Musings (Greater Austin Area)
Mark Sprague, State Director of Information Capital Here’s an update on some recent questions I’ve been considering, with input and feedback from much wiser analysts/economists whose seminars I have been able to sit in on the last few weeks. What impact has COVID 19 had on the nation’s economy? We have never had a crisis […]
Read More of Market Musings (Greater Austin Area) >>Social Distancing UPDATE
By: Kara McGregor, Senior Vice President – Business Development (Updated July 1st, 2020) At Independence Title, we have retooled our processes at every stage, retrained our teams, and rebuilt our resources for these challenging times. We are closing most transactions remotely and to help keep everyone healthy. We have developed new best practices to keep […]
Read More of Social Distancing UPDATE >>Meet Brooke Heinsohn, Escrow Officer – Rollingwood
Brooke Heinsohn fell in love with Austin while earning her business degree in marketing from the University of Texas. After graduation, however, she ended back up in her hometown of Houston searching for a job. Marketing positions seemed to be few and far between that year, so she decided to expand her options and started […]
Read More of Meet Brooke Heinsohn, Escrow Officer – Rollingwood >>Michele Turner – Dripping Springs
Escrow Officer Michele Turner has joined our team at the Dripping Springs office! Michele spent her early years in South Austin before her family moved to Lockhart, where she truly developed her love of small-town life. She and her husband had a brief stint in Vermont, then moved back to Texas and straight back to […]
Read More of Michele Turner – Dripping Springs >>Susie Nichols – Lakewood Escrow Officer
When Susie Nichols moved to Dallas from Tulsa in her 20s, she was ready for life in the “big city,” but had no idea that a temp job with a real estate attorney would set her on a path to a career as an Escrow Officer. That temp job became permanent and gave her a […]
Read More of Susie Nichols – Lakewood Escrow Officer >>Bonnie Barrera – Bilingual Closer
Bonnie Barrera is an accomplished, veteran escrow officer with a secret weapon – she can conduct informative, professional, and friendly closings in both English and Spanish! Bonnie works from Independence Title’s Rollingwood Office, and has been managing transactions in both Spanish and English in Austin for more than 20 years. “There are very few Spanish-speaking […]
Read More of Bonnie Barrera – Bilingual Closer >>Meet Lucy Gallagher, Escrow Officer
For Lucy Gallagher, Texas really was a “whole other country.” She and her family moved to Houston from England when she was five for her father’s job in the oil and gas business. “My dad always loved Texas and wanted to be a Texan,” she says. And though she wasn’t sworn in as a citizen […]
Read More of Meet Lucy Gallagher, Escrow Officer >>Zana King – Escrow Officer
Zana King had no plans to be an escrow officer, and says she got into the business by accident. She had gone to work for a law firm in Dallas thinking that she wanted to pursue a law degree, and the law firm specialized in foreclosures and title. She was trained in every part of […]
Read More of Zana King – Escrow Officer >>Meet Ruby Cortez, Escrow Officer
For Ruby Cortez and her team, every transaction is the “most important” transaction. “Whether it’s a small lot purchase, or a million-dollar sale, that deal is very important to somebody. Each set of circumstances is different,” she says. “Making sure that every single transaction is done well and goes smoothly is my way of helping […]
Read More of Meet Ruby Cortez, Escrow Officer >>Donna Sherrill
First-time home buyers bring extra joy to Donna Sherrill as an escrow officer and branch manager at our Cedar Park office. “Working with people on the purchase of their first home is exciting and rewarding,” Donna says. “I never get tired of helping them navigate the process. They have no idea what to expect, and I […]
Read More of Donna Sherrill >>Kelli Burns – Escrow Officer
Kelli Burns has been with Independence Title from the very beginning. In fact, she was one of the “original 12.” She started in the title industry as a paralegal intern. “I worked in the plant as a title examiner and was recruited into the branch as an escrow assistant,” she says. “A couple of short […]
Read More of Kelli Burns – Escrow Officer >>Meet Misha Davis
By Sarah Rooney, Social Media Manager Misha Davis started her career in the real estate industry in 2004, working with a lender. “I was very young, and it was a great introduction because I got to do a little of everything from payroll to janitorial. You name it, I did it,” she laughs. Before long, […]
Read More of Meet Misha Davis >>The Safest Way to Travel? Maybe Not for Your Cybersecurity
Summertime: the kids are out of school, the weather is just right, time to go on vacation! It’s always something to look forward to, except the part where you have to use the dreaded airport to get there. Between keeping up with tickets, luggage, family members, and wandering kids, it’s no wonder thinking about cyber […]
Read More of The Safest Way to Travel? Maybe Not for Your Cybersecurity >>Have You Used the Matrix Tax Record Search for Target Marketing? [Austin & DFW Area]
Have you heard about the new Matrix tax record search? Instead of having to go to Realist to search the public record, you can now search directly within Matrix. It’s a fast, simple, and convenient way to help you farm prospective areas and neighborhoods. Some of the features include: Search by any geography—subdivision, city, zip […]
Read More of Have You Used the Matrix Tax Record Search for Target Marketing? [Austin & DFW Area] >>Title Insurance Rates to Decrease in September
Yes, you read that correctly. Every few years, the Texas Department of Insurance (the state agency that regulates title insurance) looks at title industry data to see how we are doing, and to see if a rate increase or decrease is warranted. The statistical data is provided to TDI by title insurance agents and underwriters. Currently, […]
Read More of Title Insurance Rates to Decrease in September >>Introducing Janelle Landry
By Sarah Rooney, Social Media Manager Janelle Landry might be the newest escrow officer at our Rollingwood office, but she’s been with Independence Title since our inaugural year in 2005. She had just graduated with a B.S. from Texas State and says she wasn’t exactly sure what to do with her brand new math degree. […]
Read More of Introducing Janelle Landry >>How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Attempts
By now you’ve probably heard of phishing, which describes attempts by cybercriminals to extract private, personal information from people and companies. Criminals use phishing emails to trick you into giving away information you’d otherwise keep confidential. When it comes to real estate transactions, the bad guys want details like the buyers’ and sellers’ social security […]
Read More of How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Attempts >>Home Buyers Face Ever-Increasing Attacks Through Social Engineering
One of our clients moved with her family from Dallas to a small town outside of Austin and started looking for a house immediately. As many of you know, it’s not easy finding a home in this area, but luckily after a few months, she found a great neighborhood and an under-construction home they loved. […]
Read More of Home Buyers Face Ever-Increasing Attacks Through Social Engineering >>A Guide to Hosting Your Ultimate Summer Soirée
By Jennifer Wilhelm, Event Coordinator Summer is just around the corner, and that means fun, sun and get-togethers with friends. Now is the perfect time to start planning your ultimate summer soirée, and we have a foolproof guide to ensure your event is an unforgettable success that your friends will rave about well into the […]
Read More of A Guide to Hosting Your Ultimate Summer Soirée >>Which Computer Is Safer From Cybercrime: Mac or PC?
Which computer is safer from cybercrime: Mac or PC? The answer may surprise you. Remember the commercials with the young savvy man (Mac) vs the older stuffy man (PC)? These ads went a long way towards changing the perception of Apple as a cutting-edge, hip and cool technology company. As cool as Macs have become, […]
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