Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Haltman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Michael, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Hallmark Abstract Service is in what many consider to be the commodity business of providing title insurance for commercial and residential real estate transactions in New York…We couldn’t disagree more!

We’ve compiled a list of 10 ways Hallmark Abstract Service differentiates itself from much of the competition. Below that, I will provide a link to a short video I made providing an example.

10 Significant Ways That Hallmark Abstract Service Differentiates Itself
From Many New York Title Insurance Providers!

1. The ancillary and ‘junk’ fees on Hallmark Abstract title bills are often
$500-$1,500 less than those of other title insurance companies! This is a
significant amount of money that is better in the pockets of the buyer, than
in the pockets of a title insurance company!

2. At a closing the New York buyer will receive a title insurance policy. The
overriding question, however, is what title company work went into
creating that policy. Since its inception in 2008, Hallmark Abstract Service
has had no valid title claims.

3. Attorneys for the buyer, the seller, the mortgage company, and any other
player in the transaction will have ONE point of contact at our firm.

4. If a business decision ever has to be made, at Hallmark Abstract you will
be dealing with the owners of the company.

5. Affiliated Business Relationships or ABS. Hallmark Abstract does not
have any of these that have the potential to create a serious conflict of
interest. Imagine if a critical member of your real estate team such as
attorney had a vested interest in seeing a deal close due to title insurance
ties.

6. Hallmark Abstract does not take shortcuts! If an ‘easy’ solution exists
that will get a deal to closing, but that solution does not protect our client
to the greatest extent possible, we will not go that route! An example is our
insistence on a boundary-line-agreement as it survives any sale of the house
next door. The easy route is to have the existing neighbor sign an affidavit,
but that will no longer be valid were that neighbor to more.

7. We recommend a 2nd opinion! Regardless of who is providing title, we
always recommend getting a title bill from a second company to make sure
the non-premium charges are fair (see #1). If a significant difference in cost
exists, we advise going to the original title company and request a
reduction.

8. Technology! Hallmark Abstract provides a free and on-demand title
insurance bill platform. 24/7, for any purchase price and mortgage amount,
and in any New York State city or town, buyers, attorneys, real estate
agents and mortgage loan originators can get a title insurance bill and
know their costs instantaneously! Visit here and take it for a test drive,
https://hallmarkabstractllc.titlecapture.com/login.

9. Testimonials! As a result of the quality of the work Hallmark Abstract
provides its clients, the firm has been blessed with a great many fantastic
testimonials. Read some of them at the Hallmark Abstract Service Google
Business Page simply by Googling our name or clicking on our name above.

10. Financial Strength! The financial strength of the title policy
underwriter is critical. We learned that lesson in 2008 when some title
insurance underwriters went out of business. Hallmark Abstract’s primary
underwriter is the Fidelity National Title Group, the largest and best-capitalized title insurance underwriter of them all!

YouTube video providing an example of the way Hallmark Abstract Service does business: https://youtu.be/BHEkXEhy1jc?si=DDqe6Z6Ryag_6MOw

Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After my MBA in finance in 1984, I worked as a bond analyst at one of the largest Wall Street firms and then became a bond trader.

I worked at a couple of other large firms before becoming an equity trader for the largest proprietary trading firm in the country, where I also trained other trainers.

In 2004, I opened a commercial mortgage company, doing very well until the Lehman failure. My wife, in a family bridge lending residential construction firm, was also negatively impacted by the Lehman failure. With two kids in college and a 3rd on the way to college, we needed to reinvent quickly.

From both of our backgrounds, we knew title insurance well and decided to enter the title insurance market as other players were leaving.

We faced some obstacles but fought hard to succeed because failure was not an option. The pivot during very difficult times and then creating a successful business, is probably what I am most proud of, other than the adults my kids have become.

At Hallmark Abstract, we view our obligation to protect the buyers who place their trust in us as our Number 1 goal!

As you can hopefully see from the 10 differentiating factors above, that is how we do business!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Our title insurance business primarily comes from attorneys and mortgage originators, but the firm works hard to build our brand and reputation. As a result, we also get deals from the actual buyers of property who know that it’s their RIGHT to choose the title insurance provider they would like to work with.

Networking is a critical component of business development, and in addition, I also host a podcast and appear on other podcasts.

Each day, I also provide real estate and economic information across social media and on my Google Business Page, which I feel people should be aware of.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Our reputation as a great title insurance company has come from the experiences of the professionals and individuals who have used us.

To that end, as a firm, we invoke the phrase “Earning Your Trust, One Transaction at a Time”!

In networking, I often cite the term know-like-trust, and Hallmark has earned the trust through our results over the past 17 or so years.

An example of the way that we earn trust is that we have never had a valid title claim, an accomplishment typically unheard of in our industry!

Hallmark Abstract Service…You Buy Real Estate, We Protect It!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hallmarkabstractllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/titleinsurancenewyork/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HallmarkAbstractService
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/titleinsurancenewyork/
• Twitter: https://x.com/NewYorktitleins
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoYouEverWonder943

Image Credits

The Queens Courier Best of New York 2024