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@flga-2-2
I don’t do many either; but I think it’s because not many clients want to wait that long for a survey that cost that much.
Several years ago, my friend had a client that asked if all of his surveys were done to the ALTA standards (no Table A items other than 1). Then later, asked him to add the certificate…
I like to think that I am thorough; every survey that I do, I can defend in court, if I need to. Maybe I should start charging more!
I hope everyone has a great day; I know I will!@flga-2-2
What do you do if/when a project you’ve already been working on needs an ALTA prepared? Do you say, no?
@flga-2-2
I had an instructor in school that said he loved doing ALTAs. I remember him saying they were the ‘Cadillac of surveys’ and were great money-makers. I’ve worked on a number of them since I’ve been out of school and I enjoyed them for the most part. The ones that have 60 or 70 exceptions can be pretty grueling and not very fun, but for the most part I’ve liked the level of detail that goes into them. Anyway, if it’s possible to make the same amount of money doing easier work then I can certainly see why guys would pass them by.
I might have had that same instructor….but I loved doing ALTAs long before I took that class.
With an ALTA, the surveyor’s responsibilities are spelled out in great detail, the certification is non-negotiable, the Table A items don’t easily let the client claim that they thought they would be “getting more” than what was agreed upon.
“…people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.” -Neil PostmanThat’s never happened, but if it did, after the client received my price he/she/undecided would.
Would I risk losing a good client over an ALTA?, of course not. None of my clients ever had a need for an ALTA anyway. I just simply avoided requests for those “no profit in my range” surveys starting 30+ years ago. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, business was my primary concern with surveying a close second but second nonetheless. ????
@flga-2-2 I average 5 ALTA surveys a month, I wouldn’t do them if they didn’t profit. Having an experienced team that’s done them for a decade helps speed things along.
Good for you. If you perform many of them and you have a staff acclimated for production I could see a decent return. A niche if you will. I did the same thing in a different area of surveying and did just fine. ????
Huge difference. Title review and whether the exceptions affect the property and if so can the be plotted and if they can be plotted showing them on the survey. Denoting any feature or encumbrance affecting the title that is visible or should be denotes by an accurate survey and certifying those findings to a purchaser, title company and lender. Who, if any cloud of title occurs after the certificate, and found to be a matter that should have been indicated on the ALTA, will sue you for the cost of damages. Not to mention the extras time writing descriptions and listing the exceptions and your response on the survey.
But no field or research procedures shouldn’t differ for ALTA or BOUNDARY. Just title review and liability exposure.
BTW, I refuse to certify to Attorneys. Only to Purchaser, Title Company and Lender….And no successors and or assigns…
Had a few ruffelled feathers over the years. But they always accepted. Ultimately they had to close and the purchaser makes the decisions.
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