FNF PA: Unwinding with Underwriting

In the ever-evolving landscape of underwriting, professionals are constantly challenged to balance the art of saying "yes" with the necessity of occasionally saying "no." This delicate dance is crucial in ensuring that deals are not only closed but are also beneficial and sustainable for all parties involved. In our debut podcast episode, Lisa McEntee and Manny Chryssos share valuable insights int...

In this Season One finale of Unwinding with Underwriting, Lisa McEntee and Manny Chryssos wrap up the season with a timely roundup of key updates and insights every title professional should know before heading into summer. From a preview of the upcoming Pennsylvania rate manual changes - including new and updated endorsements - to expanded fraud protection options and practical guidance on wire v...

In this episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, Kevin Tuliszewski and Chris Martin revisit several key underwriting bulletins that, while not new, remain highly relevant in today’s market. From absentee owner and vacant land fraud to hostile parties in possession and the continued evolution of remote online notarization, they discuss the risks we are still seeing in real files and what agents need...

In this episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, Pennsylvania State Underwriters Chris Martin and Andrew Schaeffer draw on their searching backgrounds to break down how judgments and liens operate in Pennsylvania — including when they attach to property and when they must be addressed before closing. From common search findings to practical underwriting guidance, this episode offers clarity on one...

In this episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, Kevin Tuliszewski and Doug Fedoroff break down key title endorsements that play a critical role in complex commercial real estate transactions. From direct and indirect access to contiguity coverage and the ALTA 28 series addressing encroachments and easements, we explain how these endorsements protect buyers and lenders and why an accurate survey is...

In this episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, Chris Martin and Manny Chryssos break down important updates impacting real estate transactions in Philadelphia. From changes to water meter certifications and the risks of open-ended escrow agreements to the city’s new online portal for agency receivables and tax exemption corrections, we cover what title professionals need to know to protect their...

In this special solo episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, Regional Counsel Derek Ferace demystifies mechanics liens and explores how they impact title insurance and underwriting in Pennsylvania. He also covers key updates to Pennsylvania’s mechanics lien law, the distinction between owner and lender coverage, and the safe harbors that allow lenders to obtain coverage with confidence. The episod...

In this episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, we explore the growing importance of insuring loan modifications in today’s changing market. Underwriting Counsels John Casaldi and Kevin Tuliszewski break down the two primary options—issuing an endorsement to an existing loan policy or issuing a new policy—and when each approach makes the most sense. We also cover key underwriting considerations, i...

In this episode, join PA Underwriting Counsels Steve Di Pasquale and Eric Borgia to break down the real value behind the enhanced owner’s title insurance policy - a frequently misunderstood but highly impactful upgrade. They clarify what distinguishes the enhanced policy from the standard version, who qualifies for it, and why it often provides significant long‑term protection for a relatively sma...

As we wind down another busy year in the title world, we’re taking a moment to reflect, recharge, and wrap up 2025 with a special holiday edition of Unwinding with Underwriting. Consider this episode our year-end gift - packed with practical insights, candid conversations, and the biggest lessons learned in underwriting this year. In this episode, we revisit the themes that shaped 2025 and highlig...

In our latest episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, Lisa McEntee and Doug Fedoroff unpack one of the most essential - yet often underestimated - tools in a title insurance transaction: affidavits. From uncovering off-record matters like parties in possession and potential mechanics liens, to clarifying risks before they turn into claims, this conversation dives deep into how affidavits protect b...

Legal descriptions may not be the star of the Thanksgiving table, but they’re often where the real feast of details begins. In this week’s episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, we carve into the complexities of outdated deed language, missing surveys, boundary surprises, and all the ingredients that can make or break a clean transaction. Our underwriting team shares why a careful review is essen...

S1:E6 available now! What lies beneath the surface can make—or break—a real estate transaction. In this week’s episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, underwriting experts Lisa McEntee and John Casaldi explore the often-overlooked world of subsurface rights, including oil, gas, and mineral exceptions. They unpack real-life examples and discuss the financial and legal consequences of removing stand...

Property ownership can get downright spooky when marriage, divorce, and joint ownership come into play. In this Halloween-eve episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, underwriting experts Manny Chryssos and Chris Martin pull back the cobwebs on some of the most common misconceptions and pitfalls. From deeds that don’t automatically change with marriage, to divorce decrees that linger like ghosts wh...

Escrow management may seem straightforward, but as any title professional knows, it can quickly get complicated — especially when non-title related escrows and inheritance taxes are involved. In this week’s episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, Andrew Schaeffer and Doug Fedoroff unpack the key considerations every agent should keep in mind when managing escrows. From understanding the risks of u...

In our latest episode of "Unwinding with Underwriting," Recording rejections are an all-too-common challenge for agents and title professionals, often leading to costly delays and added frustration. In this week’s episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, FNF’s Lisa McEntee and Maria Miksich dive into the root causes of rejections, from legal description discrepancies to documentation issues, and sh...

In this episode of Unwinding with Underwriting, Kevin Tuliszewski and Andrew Schaeffer break down the latest on inheritance tax, estate problems, and the bills shaping our industry. Whether you’re advising clients or managing complex transactions, this is a pour you don’t want to miss. Listen now and stay ahead of what’s stirring in real estate.

In the ever-evolving landscape of underwriting, professionals are constantly challenged to balance the art of saying "yes" with the necessity of occasionally saying "no." This delicate dance is crucial in ensuring that deals are not only closed but are also beneficial and sustainable for all parties involved. In our debut podcast episode, Lisa McEntee and Manny Chryssos share valuable insights int...