This thread is being started for those title insurance, escrow services and settlement operations that would like to offer special assistance to those who have sustained damage or loss due to the California wildfire disaster. 

Please feel free to post free services, discounted services or special offers to help or assist victims of the Southern California fires. 

First American to aid California fire victims The company said it will replace at no charge recorded mortgage documents, property tax information, recorded deeds and tax assessor maps. It also said it will offer a 40 percent discount on title insurance for fire victims securing a new deed or trust or a construction loan on lost properties. (10/29/2007) First American Title Insurance Co. announced it will replace recorded mortgage documents, property tax information, recorded deeds and tax assessor maps at no charge for homeowners who lost their homes in the recent fires in Southern California."We recognize that California is not immune to natural disasters and we want to help those homeowners who lost their homes by providing any information that may be useful in recovering from these devastating fires," said Mark Sachau, First American Title Insurance's divisional president for California and Hawaii.In addition to complimentary document replacement, First American is offering a 40 percent discount on title insurance for fire victims securing a new deed of trust or a construction loan on those lost properties. First American had closed eight offices because of the fires in Southern California. The San Diego Superior Court was expected to reopen Oct. 29 after being closed for nearly a week. "All court locations will begin accepting filings on Oct. 29, 2007 during regular court business hours," according to a statement on the court's Web site. "If you mailed any filings that would have been received by the court between Oct. 22, 2007 and Oct. 26, 2007, or dropped any filings after hours during the past week, those documents will all be processed beginning on Monday, Oct. 29, 2007."

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® DISASTER RELIEF FUND

Dear C.A.R. Member:

Most of us have watched the events of the last week unfold from the comfort of our homes, offices, or local associations. But for many of our members and local association staff, and their families, the Southern California Wildfires were all too real.

C.A.R. stands ready to assist REALTORS® who have been impacted by these wildfires through its Disaster Relief Fund. The Association established the fund in the wake of the 2003 California wildfires. Grants provided by the fund are used to help members of the REALTOR® family --REALTORS®, their staff, and Association members and their staff -- who have incurred substantial losses due to wildfires and other disasters by distributing grants of $1,000 to $5,000. If you are a REALTOR®, or know of a REALTOR®, who has been impacted by the wildfires, applications to request a grant from the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund are available by calling Elizabeth de Carteret at (213) 739-8308 or e-mail to: elizabethd@car.org.

C.A.R. is urgently asking members to contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund in order to meet the current and ongoing needs of our members. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund, please make checks payable to the California Community Foundation and write "C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund" on the "memo" line. Send checks to the California Community Foundation, 445 S. Figueroa St., #3400, Los Angeles, CA 90071-1638. To make a contribution online, visit http://www.calfund.org/8/giving_calrealtorsrelief.php.

More information about the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund can be found under REALTORS® Care in the About C.A.R. section of C.A.R. Online at www.car.org, or by clicking on the REALTORS® Care button on the home page.

Yesterday, NAR, through the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, made a $500,000 donation to our Disaster Relief Fund. I was especially gratified by their rapid response to help our members and others in the REALTOR® community and know we can count on you to do the same.

C.A.R. also has created a clearing house for wildfire-related info on C.A.R. Online at http://relief.car.org. Here you will find news updates and information on local associations affected by the wildfires, what to do after the fire, and insurance-related issues, as well as additional resources for those looking to help or needing assistance.

Thank you for your contribution to the Disaster Relief Fund. Our thoughts remain with our REALTOR® family.

Sincerely,

Colleen Badagliacco
2007 President
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®