David Townsend sets bold agenda as new ALTA president

"We're also looking at cybercrime and seller impersonation fraud. We are constantly updating the best practices framework that really focuses on wire fraud and identity verification. Protecting consumers has always been a top priority of ours, and I think never more so than now. Townsend serves as senior vice president at the Fidelity National Financial Family of Companies and founded Agents National Title Insurance Co."

"Townsend emphasized that ALTA is continuing to push for more NTRAPS bans at the state level. With NTRAPS and heirs' property, we're working on getting fairness and access to homeownership, he said. We're also working closely with our partners and state legislatures across the country to get properties back into circulation and clear title to that inherited land. In total, 33 states have passed laws that ban NTRAPS agreements or make them unenforceable."

"He described the widespread issue of heirs' property land passed down without formal estate planning as a hidden obstacle to an affordable housing expansion. There are tens of thousands of properties nationwide that are tied up in heirs' property because no one knows who owns them, Townsend said. They end up in land banks. If we can work with folks to get those properties back on the market, many of those are going to be affordable-type houses."

Cybercrime and seller impersonation fraud are priorities, with updates to best-practice frameworks focused on wire fraud and identity verification. Consumer protection remains a top priority. Townsend serves as senior vice president at Fidelity National Financial Family of Companies and founded Agents National Title Insurance Co. ALTA is pushing for more NTRAPS bans to address heirs' property and improve access to homeownership. Thirty-three states have passed laws banning or making NTRAPS unenforceable. Tens of thousands of properties nationwide are tied up as heirs' property and often end up in land banks. Returning those properties to the market could add affordable housing. Local zoning reform and smarter permitting are proposed to increase housing supply.

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