Welcome, 2020! We made it through the first week of the New Year and are already excited for what’s to come in this brand new decade. Anything can happen, and we have so much to create! Whether you’re a fan of long-term resolutions or prefer setting smaller, short-term goals, it feels good to start the year off with a desire to change for the better. If you know us, you know our approach at Novation Title has always been goal-centric, not only within our business but in our personal lives and out in the community.  In today’s world where we are constantly connected (and distracted), it’s no wonder that we increasingly find ourselves overwhelmed mentally and physically drained. Often, the issues in everyday life are the ones that prevent us from enjoying the very same everyday life! How can we balance this out? We believe we can do better. That is why we are introducing meditation into our workspace. While meditation has been practiced for over 5,000 years, it is increasingly becoming a necessary way for us to unplug from the modern world. But what, exactly, is it? Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique — such as mindfulness — to train attention and thoughts. Mindfulness is awareness, it is a state of peace. It is being in the present moment, intentional and serene. It is the process of being aware of your thoughts while also disconnecting from them so you can connect within. Connecting within is the highest form of intelligence and results in proven mental, emotional and spiritual health benefits. Here are just a few science-based benefits of meditation: Reduces blood pressure Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior Improves immune system Increase in energy levels Lessens stress and anxiety Increases happiness and creativity Clarity and peace of mind Increased memory retention and recall Enhances self-awareness and self-acceptance Each one of us, regardless of gender, age or other factors, undergo daily stress and tension at some level or the other. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce #NovationMeditation into our business and we encourage others to join us this year. We can ALL benefit from improved mental and physical health in 2020. Who’s with us?!

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” —William Arthur Ward ‘Tis the season for giving! November officially kicks off the holiday season with America’s favorite foodie holiday — Thanksgiving. It is the month where we are once again reminded of all of the things we are thankful for as we gather with family and friends, stuff ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie, and watch (a lot) of football. It’s fitting, then, that November has been dubbed National Gratitude Month here in the United States. Americans are encouraged to ‘practice gratitude’ which goes beyond just feeling thankful, and actively showing gratitude by giving back. While ideally it is something we should be practicing all year long, people are more likely to give more generously during the holiday season than the rest of the year. According to the annual Holiday Giving Survey conducted by Harris Poll, more than 3 in 5 Americans (63%) typically donate to an organization or charitable cause in the last two months of the year (known as giving season). Americans are among the world’s most generous people, ranking No. 4 out of 140 countries. Utah has consistently ranked the most charitable state in the nation, coming in second this year behind Minnesota. Beyond the obvious benefit of helping and enhancing the lives of others, research shows that practicing daily gratitude can enhance our own moods, decrease stress and drastically improve our overall level of wellbeing. On average, grateful people tend to be happier, healthier, more physically fit, have a higher income and have much more satisfying personal and professional relationships. It’s a win-win for everyone! The easiest way to practice gratitude is to say THANK YOU to someone who has helped you or impacted your life in a positive way or spending time with a loved one who may be lonely or going through a difficult time. Your words and your time are often the best gifts! -The Novation Team

Mission accomplished. Or is it? It is common practice for organizations to summarize their goals and objectives in the form of mission and/or vision statements. For many, they come in the form of a typed out statement hung on a wall, easily forgotten about and only reminded of when a crisis strikes. Or they come in the form of a long-winded, regurgitation of thoughts following a midnight-hour ‘breakthrough’ (see Jerry Maguire). While they are often confused for relaying near identical messages, both serve very different purposes. A mission statement describes what a company wants to do now, and a vision statement outlines what a company wants to be in the future. A mission statement guides the day-to-day operations and decision-making of an organization. It helps in tactical planning and “rallying the troops” around a common short to medium-term goal. A vision statement outlines the long-term view of the organization and why it exists. It attracts people — not just internally but also externally — who believe in the vision of the organization. Your mission, then, brings your vision to life. We believe these statements are the lifeblood of our company. They are something we live and breathe by, because as with anything else, our thoughts become our actions and our actions become our reality. We want our reality to reflect the words written on our walls, the words we use to describe who we are and the words our clients attach to our reputation. To us, they are much more than words. Mission: We believe in making an impact and having purpose within our community. Whether we are protecting real estate investments, giving back to our surroundings or creating opportunity and growth for others. We are here to redefine the experience. Vision: To create an experience that our industry has never seen before . To develop individuals to live by their full potential in all areas of life. To have unlimited growth and make an impact in people’s lives for the better. To empower our team members to dream big so together we can make a difference in our world. Impact. Purpose. Growth. Empower. Create. Dream. These are our words, our actions, our reality, and something we are proud to stand by each and every day. Experience the difference!

From the very beginning, the vision behind Novation Title Insurance Agency was to do something different. We wanted to ‘ redefine the experience.’ What we discovered over the course of many years working in the real estate title insurance industry was that many of our consumers didn’t realize they had an option — or more importantly — understand why they should have one. Title insurance, for the most part, is the same coverage, the same process, under similar circumstances for all potential home owners. We know we need it, but how many of us actually understand why? Unless we ask the right questions or do our own homework, we are often left in the dark and dependent on the trust and direction of our real estate agents. For most, it seems like a very mundane yet absolute part of the home purchase process — kind of like wearing a seat belt. And that’s exactly where we saw an opportunity for change. By definition, title insurance is “a form of indemnity insurance predominantly found in the United States which insures against financial loss from defects in title to real property and from the invalidity or unenforceability of mortgage loans.” Clear as mud? How about this: “Insurance that protects a homeowner and their mortgage lender against defects on a home’s title.” Better? Here’s our translation: We protect one of the most important investments you will ever make. The vision behind creating Novation Title Insurance is to create an environment that is completely different for the people that we work with — inside and outside of our office. We value the team concept, we understand that we are not here as individuals but are here as a group, as one. We are committed to our team and yours. We are in this together. We are creators of possibility and people of integrity. We celebrate diversity and achievement and want to inspire others around us. Our goal is to provide an extraordinary experience with for each and every one of our clients. If you’d like to have an impact like this on your business, then you are the very person we want to meet. Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @novationtitle for company updates, innovative title insurance solutions and industry news that affects you!

At Novation Title, we’re thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our journey—our acquisition of North Star Title! This merger represents a powerful union of talent, expertise, and a shared commitment to excellence in the real estate industry. With the addition of Team Nick and the loyal clients of North Star Title, we’re excited about the growth opportunities this brings. Our combined team is now stronger than ever, and together, we’re poised to push the boundaries of innovation in our industry. This acquisition isn’t just about expanding our reach; it’s about enhancing the experience we provide to every client and partner. We believe that transformation is at the heart of progress. As we welcome our new team members and clients, we’re reminded of a favorite quote: "Transformation is a journey without a final destination." – Unknown This journey of growth and innovation is one we’re excited to embark on together. The future is bright, and we can’t wait to share all the amazing things coming your way. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and lead in the real estate industry. Here’s to new beginnings, greater success, and a transformed future! Cheers to growth and innovation, Novation Title

You’ve found the perfect home and negotiated a successful contract, so the house is yours…right? Not quite. There’s a lot that happens from the time your offer is accepted to the day of the actual closing. So why does it take so long, and what actually goes on behind the scenes? Between loan approval and closing, your title company is busy doing a lot of work to oversee the purchase process and make sure everything goes off without a hitch. If you are working with a real estate agent, they will place an order with a title agent as soon as your sales contract is accepted. While many homebuyers rely on their real estate agent to select a title company, homebuyers should know they have the option to choose for themselves! After all, a title company has a lot to do with how smoothly and timely the process goes. But what exactly does the closing process entail? Here’s a ‘behind the scenes’ look at what your title company is doing to ensure your transaction closes on its scheduled date and time (and get you into your new home as quickly as possible!) PURCHASE AGREEMENT – In order for title work to begin, the title company receives a copy of the Purchase Agreement (which defines the terms of the sale) and as a neutral party we follow the contract and instructions that are given to us. The title company also often acts as the settlement/escrow agent and will hold the earnest money deposit in an escrow account, where the funds will remain until the time of closing. TITLE SEARCH – Next, the title company will conduct a thorough title search of public records to determine that there are no issues with the title (such as judgments, liens and encumbrances, and title defects). Once that search has been completed, a commitment or preliminary report for title insurance is prepared for the lender and/or home buyer. TITLE INSURANCE – If you’re receiving financing, your lender will likely require that you purchase a Loan Policy (however, it only protects the lender). In many cases two policies are issued — one to protect the lender and one to protect the homeowner (Owner’s Policy), which protects you from title defects that existed prior to the issue date of your policy. In the state of Utah it is typical that a buyer purchases a lender’s policy and a seller purchases an owner’s policy. SETTLEMENT STATEMENT – Once the title company has received and complied with all of the lender’s closing instructions and loan documents, they will prepare a settlement statement which outlines all of the costs for both the buyer and seller associated with the closing. This includes earnest money deposits, adjustments and prorations, existing loan payoffs, disbursements and escrow fees. CLOSING DAY – When all paperwork has been completed, the title company will confirm the date, time, and location of the closing with all parties involved. At the closing, your escrow officer will explain the documents that need to be signed and collect the required signatures. Once papers are signed and the loan has been funded, you’ll receive the keys to the house. This is, of course, based on the possession date on your real estate contract. While you’ve been busy packing and coordinating the movers, much more is done behind-the-scenes that leads to move-in day. It is the title company’s role to not just facilitate the transaction that will get you into your new home, but to alleviate some of the stress that comes along with it. At Novation Title, we believe that everyone working together makes closing day a cause for celebration! -Novation Title Team

This past Saturday morning, some of our Novation Title team rolled up their sleeves and joined forces to make a difference at the Utah Food Bank. With energy and enthusiasm, Heidi, her daughter Haley, Tristan, Kristi, our Agent friend Kim and Steph dove into the task of sorting and packing food for those in need. Their dedication paid off in a big way—we set a record time of just 9 minutes and 5 seconds to pack a full pallet! Volunteering at the Utah Food Bank was not only a rewarding experience but also a powerful reminder of the importance of giving back to our community. Every box packed means a child has food on their table, and every minute spent volunteering makes a real impact on the lives of so many utah familys and our very own neighbors. At Novation Title, we believe in the strength of community and the power of teamwork. By coming together, we achieved something truly special and set a new benchmark for future volunteer efforts. We're incredibly proud of our team's hard work and commitment to supporting such a vital cause. Thank you to the Utah Food Bank for the opportunity to contribute. We look forward to many more volunteer events where we can continue to make a positive difference, one record-setting pallet at a time! If you are interested in volunteering or donating you can find out more about all the incredible work the Utah Food Bank is doing here: https://www.utahfoodbank.org/ Stay tuned for more updates on our community efforts and remember—every act of kindness counts!

As we emerge out of the cold and gloomy seasons into the breeze and sunshine of May it seems there is no better month to focus on Mental Health Awareness. While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. The Title & Escrow industry is one BIG emotional rollercoaster! At Novation Title we understand that dealing with some of the most important transactions in our clients' story can be challenging at times, we might even say it can be a trigger for some people, which is why being in our best state of mind is such a priority. As a team we value having the time to meditate, decompress, and unwind for a few seconds to be able to put our best mind to work. Our Midvale office has a meditation room available for our clients and our team to secure a safe spot to be able to tap into that higher self. Novation Title is committed to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health and learning more ways our community can take to protect their mental health. We hope we can bring more acceptance and love to this very important matter by shining some light in the darkness of this topic. Now more than ever we want to stay connected to others to let them know that they are not alone.

When it comes to real estate title insurance, you probably haven’t considered it to be the most exciting part of the home purchase process. We get it — we’ve been there, too. There are so many ‘i’s’ to dot and ‘t’s’ to cross for home buyers that title insurance often becomes just another frustrating document to sign. But we’re big believers that anything can be fun (yes, even insurance!) After all, it is meant to protect all parties (did someone say party?) involved and is critical to establishing peace of mind for homeowners who deserve to be properly educated. We want to be part of the reason they choose you to represent them in this process. So how, exactly, are we doing that? By creating an extraordinary experience for everyone. Here are 5 ways Novation is making a difference and standing out in the crowd. #1: Paperless encrypted web storage You can access your real estate title insurance documents online with safe and secure paperless storage options (plus additional consumer storage – up to 10,000 documents!) Closing details, closing documents, and other information related to the transaction can be easily shared with all parties involved so you get what you need, when you want it. #2: We help educate YOUR consumers It is our mission to create an environment that is completely different for everyone involved in the title insurance process — the consumers, the clients and the employees. Your consumers should know not only what title insurance is, but why they need it. In a case of a title defect, liens or even human error, they will understand how they’re protected. #3: Survey on performance We want to know: How can we improve? Your feedback is essential to not only our growth and success as a company, but our ability to serve you in the best way that we can. Loved your experience with one of our escrow officers? We want to hear about it. Not a fan of our pens? Give it to us – we can take it. #4: Capturing the moment We document and capture all of the important moments in our lives, why should this be any different? Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments people make, and it deserves its own celebration! (Plus, who doesn’t love a polaroid?) #5: We get you testimonials! We will personally ask your clients at closing about your journey together. We will highlight you at the end of every closing and make sure to get a review just for YOU! Taking the stress off you and redefining what your Title Company can do for you. Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @novationtitle for company updates, innovative title insurance solutions and industry news that affects you!