First American Title Agency Services

We’ll be heading to in October! If you’re planning on attending, book a meeting with us to learn how we deliver certainty and trust to power seamless transactions. Reach out to your First American sales rep to book your meeting.

Join us for Accounting, Reporting, and Payments, the second of a two part webinar series where we’ll walk you through the new AgentNet Services features for a smooth transition to the new system.

Explore enhanced reporting and payment capabilities:

Auto-reporting for policy premiums
Secure electronic payment options for premium and search invoices
On-demand file adjustments, and more
Tuesday, October 1 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Register: https://firstam.us/3XTvc8k
Wednesday, October 2 | 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Register: https://firstam.us/3MUetLF

At First American Title, we remain a steadfast pillar in the title industry. While others may face changes, we continue to provide the stability and expertise our agents rely on.

We are here. We have always been here. And we aren’t going anywhere.

On Patriot Day, we remember the tragic loss of lives and the heroic acts of bravery that occurred on September 11, 2001. Join us today by taking a moment of silence to remember the thousands of victims, and to honor the many acts of heroism, compassion, and resilience that helped see us through.

Meet AgentNet®️ Services – the next evolution for AgentNet. Get to know our exciting new features and navigation now for a smooth transition this autumn.
• Automated OFAC/SDN and back title (where available) searches
• One-click Property Profile Reports
• Create one or more policies simultaneously
• Simplified ordering and underwriting requests
• Proactive fraud alerts
• Enhanced reporting and payment capabilities

Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 11:00 a.m. EDT
Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 2:00 p.m. EDT
Tuesday, Sept.17 | 2:00 p.m. EDT

Details and registration in AgentNet Knowledge > Upcoming Events
https://knowledge.agentnet.firstam.com/

The supply of homes for sale is growing. According to the latest data from Realtor.com, new listings are trending up.

As Realtor.com says: “. . . sellers turned out in higher numbers this March as newly listed homes were 15.5% above last year’s levels. This marked the fifth month of increasing listing activity after a 17-month streak of decline.”

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

“A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.” — Sydney Smith 🏡

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Join us in wishing a very to Alexander Maresca, Senior Underwriting Counsel!

Thank you for being a part of our team, Alexander, and we hope that the year ahead brings you opportunity, success, and happiness! 🎂

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

An exciting trend is happening in housing. New data shows the size of new homes is trending down. That’s good news if you’ve been looking for a house that checks all your boxes and still fits your budget.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Multi-generational homes are gaining popularity for a number of reasons. From cost savings to making it easier to care for aging parents, there are a lot of benefits to consider.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

From how quickly homes are selling to the latest listings you need to see, they can explain what's happening in your local market, so you can make a confident decision.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Join us in wishing a very to Adam Lewis, Esq., Senior Underwriting Counsel!

Thank you for being a part of our team, Adam. We hope that the year ahead brings you opportunity, success, and happiness! 🎂

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi discuss the chronic supply shortage and ongoing affordability crisis facing the U.S. housing market, and examine an overlooked potential solution to increasing the supply of affordable housing – manufactured housing.

Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today!
https://reconomy.podbean.com/e/ep-88/

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” —Pablo Picasso 🏡

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Renters this spring will have more options than they did last year, as a lot of new apartments have been delivered since then. According to data from CoStar, the stock of apartments in the U.S. increased by approximately 600,000 over the last year, and there’s more coming soon. The number of apartments under construction nationwide peaked last summer, but is still near an all-time peak, with just under 1 million units currently being built. Many of these apartments are coming to market now. As a result, we can expect the surge in new apartment supply to continue throughout this year and into the first half of 2025.

While renters will have more choices this year, the future supply pipeline of apartments (as measured by apartment starts) is now also falling, and in the long run there is still a national housing shortage. Estimates of this shortfall vary, but the average estimate is about 3 million units of housing undersupply. Currently, there are approximately 1.7 million units of housing under construction (apartments and homes). If all of those units came to market tomorrow ready to sell or lease, we’d still likely have a housing shortage. Of course, all real estate is local, so this shortfall varies considerably by market.

An oversupply of apartments will provide renters with greater options this spring and for the remainder of the year. However, the long-term housing shortage will limit the decline in rent growth. Based on current trends, it looks like demand may catch back up to supply in late 2025 or in early 2026.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Have you considered a multi-generational home?

Purchasing a home with family, friends or loved ones can help make it easier to afford a home in the area you want.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

A land survey is important for a homebuyer because it will ultimately tell you what is and isn’t yours. Relying on man-made demarcations like fences or natural barriers like rivers, hedges, or tree lines aren’t reliable. The current or a former owner may have built on land that isn’t a part of the legal description, giving buyers a false impression of what is for sale.

Here are some things that a survey will tell you:
• If the legal description is accurate and “closes.”
• Where the property lines are located.
• If and where there are easements, public right of ways, encroachments, etc.
• If there are any undocumented or unrecorded easement or undocumented encroachments. For instance, a surveyor will note if there is a worn footpath that the public frequently uses or if a neighbor’s fence partially extends into the property.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Another successful webinar! Thank you to our agents for providing such incredible feedback about our Eagle Academy Live webinar series.

Join us in welcoming Sarah Ticson to the CT Underwriting team! An accomplished business professional with 15 years’ experience in commercial and residential real estate transactions, Sarah has extensive knowledge in the real estate and title insurance industries. Prior to joining First American Title, Sarah worked as an Underwriter for another national title insurance company, spent many years in private practice at some of Connecticut’s most esteemed law firms, and served as a Project Coordinator for affordable housing developments nationwide. Her comprehensive understanding spans the spectrum of real estate transactions and financing at local, national and international scales, encompassing commercial finance, acquisition, and development across diverse property portfolios.

Sarah’s attention to detail and exceptional analytical skills make her a trusted advisor to lenders, attorneys, and real estate professionals alike. Sarah is committed to excellence and her dedication to providing accurate and reliable underwriting solutions has earned her the trust and respect of clients and colleagues alike.

Wishing you a meaningful and joyful celebration filled with peace, love, and joy. Chag Pesach Sameach!

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Join us in recognizing and celebrating our remarkable planet on Earth Day. This day reminds us of the critical need for environmental conservation and sustainability, inspiring us to unite and take meaningful actions towards a healthier planet and a brighter future. 🌎

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Look what our agents are saying about our Eagle Academy Live webinar series. We're thrilled to receive such incredible feedback and look forward to many more successful and informative webinars in this series!

Join us in wishing a very to Allison Calomino, Account Executive who is celebrating 18 wonderful years with us today!

Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Allison.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Join us in wishing a very to Lorrie Rankin, Senior Title Officer who is celebrating 20 great years with us today!

Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Lorrie.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Join us in congratulating Kelly Graham on her recent promotion to Associate Underwriter! Kelly graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2011 with a focus on business and has been working for First American for four years. Prior to her time at First American, Kelly worked for 10 years in the private sector as a legal assistant with a primary focus on both residential and commercial real estate transactions. She is always willing to help and works diligently to get agents fast and accurate responses. When Kelly is not working, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband and dachshund, Oscar.

Today’s housing market faces a persistent trio of challenges. The mortgage rate lock-in effect, limited inventory, and constrained affordability continue to dampen sales activity and will likely remain headwinds for the remainder of 2024. Despite these challenges, the existing-home sales outlook has increased for two consecutive months. While financial considerations are important in the decision to buy or sell a home, so too are lifestyle choices and events, such as 'The Five D’s' death, divorce, diplomas, downsizing, and diapers.

Household formation was a primary driver of growth in the existing-home sales outlook in March, as millennials continued to age into prime home-buying years and make lifestyle choices that are highly correlated with buying a home, such as getting married and having children. Additionally, the pandemic untethered many from their employer’s location. Because of the pandemic-driven uptick in remote work, where one lives today is much less correlated with where one works. Homeowners are also sitting on historically high levels of equity, so for some homeowners moving and taking on a higher interest rate isn’t a big deal if one needs to move—especially if they are moving to a more affordable area or downsizing.

While “life happens” events may spur some buyers and sellers, it’s not enough to fuel the market to more normal sales levels. Existing homes represent the majority share of inventory, and nearly 90% of existing homeowners are locked into low rates and financially disincentivized from selling. To buy a new home, you have to sell the home you own. The rate lock-in effect will likely weaken if the Federal Reserve cuts rates and mortgage rates fall. Even then, mortgage rates aren’t likely to decrease enough to ‘unlock’ most homeowners, so in the interim, the driving force behind sales activity will remain the five D's.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

With professional training, expertise, and community relationships, agents know the ins and outs of the buying process and exactly how to walk you through each step.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi discusses multifamily supply-and-demand dynamics and the outlook for apartment rents with Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist Xander Snyder.

Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today!
https://reconomy.podbean.com/e/ep-87/

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Join us in wishing a very to Emily Shaughnessy, Senior Title Assistant!

Thank you for being a part of our team, Emily, and we hope that the year ahead brings you opportunity, success, and happiness! 🎂

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Though a lot of debt is coming due this year and next, maturing debt does not necessarily result in distress. As we discussed in a recent piece, debt maturities are more likely to result in distress when loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are high and, therefore, the ability of the property owner to refinance the full balance of their loan may be limited. Over the next three years, the quantity of “potentially troubled” debt, defined as loans with LTV ratios over 80 percent, varies considerably by asset class. By a large margin, office properties are facing the largest amount of potentially troubled loan maturities, followed by multifamily or retail (depending on the year), followed by industrial. Maturing loans with higher LTVs are more likely to result in property price reductions if the owner is unable to refinance and is forced into a sale.

While all of this maturing CRE debt has brought attention to the risks that banks with greater exposure to CRE on their balance sheets may face, what’s often lost in the conversation about CRE mortgages is that there are a number of non-bank entities that also lend to CRE owners and operators. In fact, banks hold slightly less than 40% of all CRE debt outstanding. The rest is held by a combination of life insurance companies, agencies, and other types of investor lenders.

Different types of mortgage holders can be more or less flexible about amending and restructuring outstanding debt. Properties with less flexible debt types are more likely to face distress or foreclosure, and therefore price adjustments, upon maturity.

Though some of the pain from CRE price adjustments is already behind us, there’s still more to come. Since so much debt matures this year, and since distressed debt workouts take time to resolve, the full downward impact of this year’s debt maturities on property prices and transaction volume will not be felt until the first or second quarter of 2025.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Want to sell your house for top dollar? Boosting curb appeal with small projects – without draining your wallet or time – can lead to big returns. And now that it’s spring, it's the perfect time to focus on the exterior of your house.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

In January 2024, mortgage rates declined and affordability improved by nearly 2 percent compared with December, according to the Real House Price Index (RHPI). However, on an annualized basis, affordability decreased by approximately 7 percent. Two factors drove the sharp annualized drop in affordability – a 7.1 percent annual increase in nominal house prices, according to our First American Data & Analytics House Price Index, and a 0.4 percentage point increase in the 30-year, fixed mortgage rate compared with one year ago.

For home buyers, holding prices constant, the only way to mitigate the loss of affordability caused by higher mortgage rates is with an equivalent, if not greater, increase in household income. Even though household income increased 3.9 percent since January 2023 and boosted consumer house-buying power, it was not enough to offset the affordability loss from higher mortgage rates and rising nominal prices.

If mortgage rates fall to 6.25 percent by the end of 2024, household income grows at the pre-pandemic historical average of 2.9 percent compared with the end of 2023 and nominal house prices increase by 3.7 percent annually, affordability will improve by a little over 3 percent at the end of the year compared with January. Even modest improvements in housing affordability will be welcome news for buyers currently sitting on the sidelines. However, even at this level, affordability will remain nearly 38 percent worse than in February 2022, just before the Fed started increasing rates. The industry predicts that 2025 will bring even lower mortgage rates – the sooner the better for prospective home buyers.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

When you partner with First American, the SAFEvalidation service is included with our underwriter services for all First American insured transactions – now with no separate fee.

“Homeownership is the cornerstone of a strong community.” Rick Renzi 🏡

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

Join us in wishing a very to Kelly Graham, Senior Title Officer who is celebrating 4 wonderful years with us today!

Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Kelly.

First American Title Connecticut
Stamford: 203.325.1555 • Hartford: 860.727.9908
https://www.firstam.com/title/agency/ct/

SHARE THE LOVE! Use shareable real estate farming and other agent-friendly PRISM tools to strengthen your business relationships.

PRISM Real Estate Farming Webinar
Wednesday, February 14 | 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST

Save your seat – https://firstam.us/PRISM-real-estate-farming
1. Identify potential clients. Use farming to build focused marketing initiatives and establish your reputation.
2. Fight wire fraud. Protect your customers and business with safe, secure access to transaction documents.
3. Close faster. Fully automated quotes include your settlement/closing fees and more.
4. Focus on growth. Use real-time analytics to identify high-volume users with growth potential.



Farming is a paid subscription service. Additional premium data is available and paid directly to the provider by the end user.

This past year has seen numerous changes in the agent marketplace with more on the horizon.

Join Len Prescott, Underwriting Counsel and Director of Agency Division Underwriting, for a review of top industry stories and takeaways from 2023, including key insights on market changes and expectations, artificial intelligence and technology innovations, Attorney Opinion Letters, and cybersecurity and data privacy.

Contact your First American Agency representative for registration details.

As we celebrate the holidays and near the closing of 2023, we wish you all peace and good cheer this time of year. We look forward to continuing our commitment to bringing you innovative solutions and world-class customer service.

Wire fraud continues to run rampant, dramatically impacting title agents. Let’s work together to help mitigate risk with the additional protection from the SAFEvalidation® service. Now available with no separate fee, the SAFEvalidation service is included with underwriter services for First American insured transactions. Learn how easy it is to better protect your agency and your customers.

Celebrating our November Milestone Anniversaries. Thank you for your 10+ years of dedication and commitment to excellence. We’re lucky to have you!