About this episode
The episode features insights from Scott Sumner on title insurance and underwriting challenges.
Co-hosts Michael O’Donnell and Bethany Abele welcomed special guest Scott Sumner, Vice President and Underwriting Counsel of Fidelity National Financial, who has played various roles in his 21-year career, including serving as NJ State Counsel and NJ State Manager for the business operations. Scott provided insights as to what title agents can do to get their deals closed efficiently, including urging agents to raise potential issues as early as possible and to provide all known facts to the underwriting counsel. Some of the more challenging situations that Scott addressed were tidelands searches, bankruptcies and mortgage foreclosures, and application of the new Community Wealth Preservation Act. He also discussed the ramifications of two new State statutes on tax sale foreclosures. In addition, Scott shared details of one complex project, an energy generation facility on the Raritan River with a cable extending to the NY state line, presenting myriad title issues. Finally, Scott also had recommendations for affinity groups that young professionals in the industry should seek out, including the NJ Land Title Association, American Land Title Association, state and county bar…
People in this episode
Hosts: Michael O’Donnell, Bethany Abele
Guest: Scott Sumner
Topics covered
- title insurance
- underwriting
- real estate
- legal issues
- professional development
Keywords
- title agents
- underwriting counsel
- Community Wealth Preservation Act
- tax sale foreclosures
- energy generation facility
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Fidelity National Financial, NJ Land Title Association, American Land Title Association, Riker Danzig
Places: New Jersey, Raritan River, New York
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- Season 4, Episode 2 · July 21, 2025 · 36 min
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