JUDITH LANAHAN, ESQ. of the FNF (Fidelity National Financial) families, will be discussing the changes to the New York State Power of Attorney form. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the changes before the form goes into effect on June 13th....
Continue readingThe EO 202.92 Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency extends the use of audio-visual notarization for residential and commercial transactions to May 6, 2021. As always, Benchmark Title Agency, LLC will continue to keep you apprised of meaningful developments in the closing process and title insurance industry. Our chart detailing the various types of notarization can be downloaded below. Various Types of Notarization...
Continue readingDear Clients, I am pleased to share with you an article I wrote that was recently published in the New York Law Journal. It explores how the passage of the new statute, RPAPL §1302-a, creates a significant new impediment to title insurance for home loan mortgages devolving through a foreclosure sale. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about the statute or how it may impact your transaction. Warm regards, Jason Bergman, CRE® Vice President & Senior Underwriting Counsel Click below to download and view the article.Download Printable PDF...
Continue readingBenchmark Title Agency, LLC is thrilled to announce that...
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Benchmark Title Agency, LLC has been at the forefront of remote closings since the pandemic began. With the increase in market activity, it is worth revisiting this important topic. The article was written by clients of Benchmark and does an excellent job of advocating and explaining why remote closings (especially today and for co-ops) are vital to the real estate industry. Reprinted with permission from N.Y. Real Property Law Journal. Thomas DeCaro, President Jean Partridge, Chief Counsel & Managing Member Download Article...
Continue readingDear Valued Client, The title insurance industry was just advised by the NYC Department of Finance that, effective May 22, 2020, access to the NYC Department of Environmental Protection’s (“DEP”) information system is no longer available, and that information support will only be granted via an alternative (and inferior) information system. While the title industry leadership and the New York State Land Title Association work on re-establishing the complete and unfettered access it previously relied upon, for the time being, the only available information is: Account numbers Account balances We are no longer able to provide: Account status (active/inactive) Billing history Payment history Estimated charges (based on previous periods) Recent/Previous...
Continue readingDuring these long days of battling against the coronavirus, our healthcare professionals are facing long hours, and unprecedented challenges. To help keep our community strong and show our gratitude to our first responders throughout this crisis, we send pizzas to the frontline staff at White Plains Hospital every Friday. “It’s our small way of taking care of those that are taking care of us,” says Jean Partridge, Co-Founder and Managing Member of Benchmark Title Agency, LLC....
Continue readingDear Client, I am pleased to share with you an article I wrote that was recently published in the New York Law Journal. It explores a new statute, RPAPL §1302-a, which effectively preserves a borrower’s ability to challenge the lender’s standing to foreclose. Among other things, I discuss the statute’s effect on title insurance underwriting and the resulting potential devaluation of foreclosed properties. This should be of particular importance if you will ever purchase a property through a foreclosure. Please feel free to contact me with any questions about the statute or how it may impact your transaction. Warm regards, Jason Bergman, CRE® Vice President...
Continue readingOriginal Post from: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20228-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 202.28Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency WHEREAS, on March 7, 2020, I issued Executive Order Number 202, declaring a State disaster emergency for the entire State of New York; and WHEREAS, both travel-related cases and community contact transmission of COVID-19 have been documented in New York State and are expected to be continue; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 29-a of Article 2-B of the Executive Law, do hereby continue the suspensions...
Continue readingDear Clients, Six weeks ago we updated you on Benchmark’s unique ability to seamlessly continue business as usual while our staff worked remotely. It remains business as usual at Benchmark, and while most of our staff will continue to work remotely, some are now returning to our office at 222 Bloomingdale Road. Our attorneys and staff are still processing new orders, clearing files, and facilitating closings. And although the majority of closings are presently escrow style or “remote”, we are still conducting traditional sit-down closings, although with some modifications for your health and well-being (including the required use of masks and gloves!)....
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