And just like that, March is over! One of the highlights of the month was hosting another continuing education webinar with Fidelity National Title for North Star Title. This session focused on property surveys, one of my favorite and most important topics in title insurance.

I often tell clients that a survey is one of the best ways to understand what you are purchasing when you buy real estate. A survey provides a visual representation of the property, showing where structures and improvements are located — and sometimes revealing that they are not located where they should be. Driveways, fences, and even homes may extend beyond boundary lines, meaning something assumed to be part of the property is actually located on a neighboring parcel. Surveys also identify easements for utilities such as power lines, as well as natural features like streams and bodies of water. Anyone purchasing real estate should strongly consider obtaining an updated survey. During the webinar, we reviewed several examples and discussed their implications for title insurance coverage and real estate transactions.

Another major highlight of March was attending the ALTA Edge Convention in Frisco, Texas. This event is one of my favorites each year. ALTA Edge is the smaller, more intimate counterpart to the ALTA ONE Conference held in the fall. While shorter in duration, Edge consistently delivers focused education, meaningful connections, and impactful discussions — all packed into a few busy and energizing days.

This year, I was especially excited to bring my stickers to the conference. They’re always a great icebreaker and I love that they always get people talking about our industry and the work we do. In addition to the connections and laughter, the conference is always a reminder of the meaningful work happening behind the scenes. I’m fortunate to serve on both the ALTA Membership Committee and Talent Development Committee. With more than 6,400 member companies, ALTA’s growth and strength are driven by the efforts of dedicated volunteers working to improve operations, education, and professional development across the title industry. It is always rewarding to see the results of that work.

As spring weather arrives, so does the busy spring real estate market. Things are happening at North Star Title, and so I’m happy to be a part of all of it. Be sure to check back here for new stickers, updates, and the next round of title insurance adventures!

– Jana