Associate Spotlight

Independence Title takes pride in standing apart from their competitors as they keep jobs local, believing that is the best way to provide their customers with comprehensive information about property in Texas. Headquartered in Central Texas, Independence Title has more than 70 branch locations in the state. They can handle transactions on property in any county in Texas and are licensed directly in Atascosa, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Burnet, Caldwell, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grayson, Guadalupe, Harris, Hays, Hunt, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lampasas, Llano, McLennan, Medina, Montgomery, Nueces, Parker, Rockwall, San Patricio, Tarrant, Travis, Waller, Williamson, and Wise counties. Every employee is but one phone call away from their local decisionmakers, Jay Southworth and Brian Pitman, which means they can readily deliver timely services and solutions that are customized to a client’s particular needs.

As an immediate response to the Pandemic threat, Independence Title retooled their processes at all stages, retrained their teams, and rebuilt their resources to meet these challenging times. They offer multiple closing options to meet the needs of all customers: the use of mobile notaries, Remote Online Closings (when allowed by the specifics of the transaction), and in-office closings with appropriate safety protocols by appointment in various office locations. They continue to deliver the very best in quality, service, and attention to detail that everyone expects when doing business with Independence Title. They recognize that real estate is a “team sport” and that it takes the team, all working together, to “win,” so they stand ready to team up with REALTORS® for successful property transactions, big and small. Their team of escrow professionals are some of the best and most experienced in the state, and are backed by in-house attorneys, a local title examination department, and cuttingedge information resources. While the main focus of Independence Title remains with the insurance and escrow segments of their business, they are also strongly committed to providing REALTORS® with the tools needed to succeed in business and have continued to expand their role in REALTOR® education. They have implemented “best practices” to combat current industry challenges like wire fraud/cybercrime and offer more tools, resources and CEaccredited courses than any other title company in Texas. Education opportunities are primarily online now and a visit to their website: http://independencetitle.com/san-antonio, under the “Education” link will detail an array of classes, most of which include one hour, or more, of CE credit, with subjects that range from title to technology. Independence Title is dedicated to ensuring a level of professional and personal service that demonstrates their commitment to caring for their customers. They agree with the philosophy of Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, that “customers are guests at a party for which the company is the host,” and as such they see the job of every employee to be one of making each important aspect of the customer’s experience a little bit better. To that end, they have recently added a new training specialist, along with additional escrow officers, escrow assistants and marketing professionals so they will be better able to reach and serve more customers throughout the area. Independence is committed to protecting the integrity of their practices, the real estate transactions they insure, and the security of their customers’ personal information. Their “Best Practice Team” is comprised of top experts on the latest rules and regulations, and they are dedicated to keeping Independence Title and its customers current and compliant. Flexibility on closing dates is very helpful when transactions require mobile notaries and it is also helpful when REALTORS® can build in some extra time on the contract closing date, especially when the buyers are getting a loan. All aspects of the loan process are taking longer – loan approvals are slower due to challenges in getting employment verifications and changes in job status, delays from credit reporting agencies, etc. During this time, Independence Title will greatly appreciate your patience, good attitudes, help, awareness, and feedback as we all move through business together and they will continue to reevaluate their best practices to ensure everyone’s safety, and will keep you informed. So, If you have not yet done so, perhaps it is time, as REALTORS®, to treat your clients and yourself to the smooth, efficient closing process that can be experienced at Independence Title. You could start by visiting the previously mentioned website to take advantage of all they have to offer or perhaps you could attend one of their many virtual educational offerings. For answers to any questions about what you might expect when conducting your business through Independence Title, contact Mark Macejewski, Division President, or Denice Brown, Vice President/Director of Business Development, at the Alamo Heights Office at (210) 237-4660

2-Apr Willie Mason Lifetime Real Estate Services

Michelle Yates Old Republic Title

3-Apr Al Chapman Home Team of America

4-Apr Stephen Johnson Preferred Partners Realty

Edward Lozano Home Team of America

Sonia del Rosario SABOR

Doug Curtis Keller Williams Heritage

Jackie Gobrial Kimberly Howell Properties

5-Apr Mary Eddy Global Realty Group

Michael Berryman Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

6-Apr Albert Alvarado Keller Williams Heritage

Barbara Finch Kuper Sotheby's International

Susan Landry SABOR

7-Apr Patti Nelson SA Portfolio KW RE

9-Apr Tiffany Stevens Forward Real Estate

John J Kuntz III Local Realty

10-Apr Robert Salazar eXp Realty

11-Apr Steve Silver Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Jerry Birdsong Century 21 Northside

Kia Poursalehi Premier Realty Group

Tracy Epps Southwest Realty Advisors

12-Apr Becky Day Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Sue Baillio JB Goodwin Realtors

Judy Hickman Sterling Group Real Estate

13-Apr Amy Gibson Independence Title

15-Apr Cathy O'Connor Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Nora Carmona Home Team of America

Julie Knowlton Home Team of America

John Mayo RE/MAX Associates

16-Apr Stephanie Fikes Global Realty Group

17-Apr Treedy Chapa Keller Williams Heritage

18-Apr Pam Maxwell Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Danette Wagnon eXp Realty

19-Apr Iwona Jaskowiak BHHS Don Johnson REALTORS

Hector Mendes Century 21 Smith & Associates

20-Apr Brenda Hoke Hoke Properties

21-Ap Jenny Cloonan Keller Williams Heritage

Kamilla McKinski Vortex Realty

22-Apr Patricia Suarez Suarez Realty Group

Todd Avery Engel & Volkers SA

Shelia Stanush RE/MAX Access

23-Apr Penny Ayarzagoitia Avenue Realty

Viviana Plata Premier Realty Group Rosalinda Medina Home Team of America

George Mercado SA Portfolio KW RE

24-Apr Shirley Parks Sands Realty

Michael Walke Global Realty Group

Pattie Holladay Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

25-Apr Amy Clifton Keller Williams City View

Tim Ferris RE/MAX Preferred

Richard Davies Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Michele Vaughn Welcome Home Real Estate

26-Apr Karen Nolan Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Cynthia Sanchez JP & Associates

27-Apr Karen Hale Keller Williams Legacy

Toby Cisneroz Century 21 Scott Myers

Rolando Garcia Vortex Realty

28-Apr Dan Armstrong Keller Williams Legacy

29-Apr Dennis DeWine ERA Colonial Real Estate

Ricardo Echeverria Century 21 Northside

Carol Case Kuper Sotheby's International

Cathy Vise Phyllis Browning Company

30-Apr Emilio Arroyo Nexthome Leading Edge Realty

Holly Gottschalt Exit Premier Realty

Denise Martinez Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper

Rodeana Reynolds, RE/MAX North San Antonio and Jeanine Schuchardt, Key Relo Real Estate

Cobb Salad Layer Dip

Ingredients: 1 cup blue cheese crumbles 1 tablespoon EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon hot sauce 3 ripe avocados 1 lemon Salt and pepper 4 hard boiled eggs, chopped 4 plum tomatoes, chopped 2 romaine hearts, clean, dry separate leaves 8 slices of bacon, chopped, cooked to a crisp, drained

Preparation: In a small skillet over medium high heat with 1 turn of the pan of EVOO, cook the bacon until crispy, about 5 minutes. When done removed with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel lined plate.

In a medium bowl, mix together the blue cheese, sour cream, the hot sauce, salt and pepper. In another small bowl, mash the avocado with juice of the lemon and salt. In a small glass bowl or dish, layer the dip: blue cheese, sour cream mixture, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, and bacon crumbles. Serve with romaine leaves to use for scooping.

Chyrel Madden, and Cindy Pena Wild, Old Republic Title

Mark Hampton and Courtney Smith, Real Estate Newsline Gilbert Gonzales, SABOR, Grant Lopez, Keller Williams Heritage, Cathy Heshmat, Keller Williams Heritage, Carmen Soto, Vivid Realty and Lorena Pena, RE/MAX Associates

Jessica Harris, Scott Felder Homes and Kimberly Howell, Kimberly Howell Properties Caroline Daly, home warranty professional and Jeff Shaffer, BHGRE homecity