
Joe Crutchfield
CEO of Investors Title Company
One trend I am seeing that I am concerned about is the number of transactions where the buyer waives ordering a survey. I am concerned because of the survey issues we see and our goal, of course, is to always make sure buyers are protected. I understand the trend and it is based on cost. I know what happens, however, when a buyer who does not get a survey ultimately sells. Their new buyer orders a survey and there are encroachments or other issues uncovered by the survey that adversely affect the new transaction. So, if a buyer does waive ordering a survey, it is important that they have been given the options and have been informed of the benefits of having a survey and survey coverage on their title policy. In any case, it is food for thought and something I think is very important.