Ifly,

Back in 05 when I was regularly buying and selling investment real estate using one title agent I was able to negotiate a 40% discount on posted title insurance rates. But they didn't provide me free services or invite me to the parties!

There's no incentive for a realtor to create such a discount relationship -why***** off someone who wants to be supportive of you - so they don't.

Best analysis of the Title Insurance scam is here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?u....

There are seven reviews of the book. Two give it five stars, five title shills give it 1 star! Just an example of how ingeniously title protects its turf.

As Professor Eaton says, the title cartel is unjust but legal. They will be taken out eventually but it's a tough nut to crack.

Oxford said:

Quote:

There's no incentive for a realtor to create such a discount relationship

There is incentive - it's called doing your job properly to earn the trust, repeat business, and referrals of your clients. I always obtained huge discounts (20-40%) on title insurance for my clients, and consider minimizing closing costs as part of the service I provide.

Do many Realtors do that? - sadly, no. Most are unaware you can even achieve a discount, and since all title insurance is priced the same (was it from $2150-$2250 on 10 insurers, exclusive of "Entitle" ,Ifly?), they never paid attention to detail.

The last BS I heard from a title rep, was the CA legislature had made it illegal (they probably did!) for a title co to grant a reinsure policy if owned for over 5 years. Gee, I'm sorry, I'd like to charge you less, but it's illegal, they whined. There were ways to get around that and guarantee your clients received a fair price.

Great reference book on the title cartel scam!

Quote:

I always obtained huge discounts (20-40%) on title insurance for my clients, and consider minimizing closing costs as part of the service I provide.

So, after all this time of you stating that all title companies charge the same price, you state that you've gotten huge discounts on title insurance for your clients? OMFG!
And the only reason why you stated that is that Oxfordrick posted that he was able to negotiate a discount rate from a title insurance company.

Quote:

Do many Realtors do that? - sadly, no. Most are unaware you can even achieve a discount, and since all title insurance is priced the same (was it from $2150-$2250 on 10 insurers, exclusive of "Entitle" ,Ifly?), they never paid attention to detail.

Apparently you didn't read any of the articles that I posted that specifically stated to shop around for title insurance. Do you not understand how to shop around? Most times it involves making a few phone calls.

At best, you've been quibbling on this issue.

Ifly: I want to and "bury the hatchet", and ask for your help. I have no formal training in economics (i think you said that you do?), and I have a belief that I cannot dismiss. I am NOT jerking you around, I'm asking for your help.

My cocktail napkin math indicates we could cure the payment deficiency of every distressed loan in america for 66B per year. Is that number accurate?

If accurate, and we could repair the banks income stream for 66B, why the hell did we pony up 2-3T to the banks?

Anyway, peace - out.