January Spotlight – Hunter Ayers
Name: Hunter Ayers Job Title: Marketing and Business Development Admin Assistant Years at Capitol Lien: 4 We’re excited to feature Hunter in our January Employee Spotlight! What’s a unique skill or perspective …
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Capitol Lien provides accurate and timely due diligence and risk mitigation services to businesses and professionals nationwide. Clients leverage our personalized customer support, user-friendly technology, and years of expertise to make decisions with confidence and build lasting strategic relationships. It is our goal to provide you with solutions that have the most pertinent results, from the best source, at the best value.
Capitol Lien Blog
Latest Blog Posts
Make It Make Sense: UCC Searches Explained
UCC searches don’t have to be confusing. Learn what they are, why lenders rely on them, and how they help prevent costly collateral and priority issues.
Beyond “I’m Not a Lawyer”: Protecting Yourself and Your Client on the UPL Tightrope
“I can’t give you legal advice.” It’s the most important phrase in a paralegal’s vocabulary. Yet, in the fast-paced, client-focused world of a modern law practice, it can feel like …
Explain It Like I’m 5: FIRPTA Edition
Alright, grab your oat milk latte and let’s decode one of real estate’s least sexy—but most important—acronyms: FIRPTA. It sounds like a made-up word your toddler would yell (“Mom, the …
December Spotlight – Kara Roach
Name: Kara Roach Job Title: Director of Accounting & HR Years at Capitol Lien: 11 We’re excited to feature Kara in our December Employee Spotlight! What’s a unique skill or …
The AI Co-Pilot: How Technology is Elevating, Not Eliminating, the Paralegal Role
The headlines are everywhere: “AI is coming for legal jobs.” For many in the legal profession, particularly paralegals whose work often involves deep document analysis and research, this can sound …
Shared Driveway Agreements: The Legal Doc That Can Save You from Neighborhood Drama
Let’s be real — nobody dreams of owning half a driveway. But thanks to older neighborhoods, twin homes, or tight infill lots, shared driveways are super common — and they …
November Spotlight – Lisa Stalberger
Name: Lisa Stalberger Job Title: Manager Years at Capitol Lien: 17 We’re excited to feature Lisa in our November Employee Spotlight! What’s a unique skill or perspective you bring to …
Abstracting for the Future: How Energy vs. Data Center Properties Differ in Title Research
As renewable energy projects and large-scale data centers expand across the United States, the title industry is being asked to navigate increasingly complex property landscapes. For abstractors, the assignment to …
The Challenges and Complexities of Researching Property Records: Grantor/Grantee Indexes vs. Legal Description Indexes
Property research is a cornerstone of real estate transactions, title insurance, and land use planning. Abstractors, title examiners, and attorneys rely on public records to trace ownership, uncover liens, and …
FinCEN – Why This Even Matters: The Backdrop
FinCEN is moving real estate from spot checks to full spotlight. The new Real Estate Reporting Rule expands reporting nationwide for non-financed residential transfers to entities or trusts—putting title and …
Homestead Mortgage Fraud: The Sneaky Scheme Title Pros Need to Watch For
In the title world, we deal with all kinds of property fraud — fake deeds, forged signatures, shady LLC transfers — but one form that’s quietly gaining traction is homestead …
A Groundbreaking Discovery: Helium in Northeastern Minnesota
In early 2024, explorers struck what could be one of the richest helium deposits in North America near Babbitt, Minnesota. Here’s what we know: What was found—and why it matters …
U.S. Home Prices Poised for Multi-Year Decline
In a stark and timely forecast, Michael Eisenga, CEO of First American Properties, warns that U.S. home prices may be headed for a multi-year decline, marking a pivotal shift in …
$1.6 Billion on Farmland: Menomonie’s Proposed Data Center and the Local Backlash
A proposal to build a massive $1.6 billion data-center campus on roughly 320 acres of farmland outside Menomonie, Wisconsin, has triggered a wave of public debate: excitement about big investment …
October Spotlight – Deb Ohm
Name: Deb Ohm Job Title: Licensed Abstractor We’re excited to feature Deb in our October Employee Spotlight! Years at Capitol Lien: 25 Years What’s a unique skill or perspective you bring to …
Why Kenosha, Wisconsin, Is Trending in the Housing Market
Kenosha, Wisconsin, has surged onto buyers’ shortlists in 2025 and for good reason. This lakefront city blends below-Chicago price points with big-city access, steady job anchors, and fresh investment downtown, …
When Minerals Meet Renewables: How Mining Claims Can Complicate Solar and Wind Projects
As the United States accelerates its transition to renewable energy, solar farms and wind projects are spreading across the country. But beneath the sunlit fields and windy ridges lies an …
Nationwide Foreclosures Rising — Who’s Driving the Boom?
Foreclosure activity across the United States has turned noticeably higher in 2025, reversing a multi-year lull that followed pandemic-era protections. Data from leading property analysts show both foreclosure starts (when …
The Port Washington Data Center: What’s Coming and What It Means for the Community
Port Washington, Wisconsin is poised to host one of the Midwest’s largest digital infrastructure projects after city officials approved a development agreement for an $8 billion, multi-building data center campus …
Wisconsin’s Real Estate Disclosure Rules: Navigating Flood Risk Amid Extreme Weather Events
1. The Real Estate Condition Report (RECR): Your Legal Disclosure Responsibility Under Wisconsin law, most sellers must complete and provide a Real Estate Condition Report (RECR)—also known as the seller’s …
What Is the “Taylor Swift Tax”?
For all you Swifties out there – this unofficial nickname refers to a new Rhode Island tax targeting non-owner-occupied residential properties assessed at $1 million or more. It imposes an …
Americans’ Current Buying Power: August 2025 Housing Market
National Picture: Buying Power Shrinks Sharply Only 28% of U.S. homes are now affordable for a median-income household, down from 55.7% in 2019. This steep decline highlights how much harder …
The Rise of the 70-Year-Old Homebuyer — What’s Really Happening?
While the often-cited figure of a 70-year-old average homebuyer may exaggerate the reality, the data do confirm a clear trend: the homebuying population is getting older. What the Numbers Show …
September Spotlight – Sarina Bourdaux
Name: Sarina Bourdaux Job Title: Research Coordinator We’re excited to feature Sarina in our September Employee Spotlight! Years at Capitol Lien: One year What’s a unique skill or perspective you bring to your …
Best Counties for Retirees in Wisconsin
Thinking of retiring in the Badger State? Based on an article from Stacker.com featuring Niche’s rankings, here are the top 25 counties to retire in Wisconsin—plus a few standout towns …
New to Property Shielding? Here’s Your Guide!
Here’s a concise guide to where “Safe at Home”–style protections (address confidentiality/property shielding) are active in the U.S., and what they mean for title research. Where these laws are active …
Why Title Abstracting Is Best Kept in America: A Case for Domestic Expertise
In today’s globalized economy, offshoring has become a common strategy for businesses seeking to cut costs. The title industry has not been immune to this trend, with some companies outsourcing …
What Is Flood Insurance?
Flood insurance is a specialized policy designed to cover damage caused by flooding—an event typically excluded from standard homeowners’ insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA and …
Rising Trend: More Homes Are Selling Below Their List Prices
A significant shift is underway in the U.S. housing market—an increasing number of homes are selling for below their original listing price. This change signals a cooling market, offering buyers …
What Is the Torrens Land System?
The Torrens system is a land registration framework that simplifies property ownership verification by issuing a Certificate of Title, which is definitive proof of ownership under state supervision. Unlike the …
The Controversial Deal: Ohtani, Real Estate, and a Lawsuit
What’s Going On? The Project in QuestionThe lawsuit targets a lavish housing development known as The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island. The project is valued at …
Choosing the Right Legal Entity: Startup versus Scale-Up
The selection of a legal entity is one of the most consequential decisions a business can make, with implications for liability, taxation, governance, and growth. While startups typically prioritize simplicity …
U.S. Housing Market Hits 30-Year Low in Home Sales: Causes and Consequences
The U.S. housing market has officially hit a historic milestone—but not the kind that sparks celebration. According to recent national data, home sales have dropped to their lowest level in …
Understanding Mineral Rights and the Importance of Trained Mineral Researchers
Mineral rights refer to the ownership of the subsurface resources beneath a parcel of land, including valuable commodities like oil, gas, coal, precious metals, and other minerals. These rights can …
FHFA Title Acceptance Pilot: What to know
What Is the FHFA Title Acceptance Pilot? Announced on March 7, 2024, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) launched the Title Acceptance Pilot as part of broader efforts by the …
Tax Implications of Cryptocurrency Holdings for Corporations
As digital assets become increasingly integrated into corporate finance strategies, understanding the tax implications of cryptocurrency holdings is essential for compliance and strategic planning. Corporations engaging with cryptocurrencies—whether through direct …
August Spotlight – Tyler Jorenby
Tyler Jorenby Job Title: Developer We’re excited to feature Tyler in our August Employee Spotlight! Years at Capitol Lien: 4 years What’s a unique skill or perspective you bring to your …
Wisconsin Home Sales Rise in June for First Time in Four Years
In a positive shift for the state housing market, Wisconsin recorded an 8.1% increase in existing home sales during June 2025, compared to the same month in 2024—the first June …
HACKED: Cyberattacks and the County Recorder’s Office
It’s no secret that the real estate sector has fallen victim to fraud in different forms, but recently, there have been more reports of hacking county recorders’ or register of …
The Decline of First-Time Homebuyers Over the Last 15 Years: A Market Shift in Perspective
Over the past 15 years, the real estate market has undergone dramatic shifts, and among the most notable trends is the sharp decline in first-time homebuyers. Once a dominant force …
Bringing Wisconsin to Hollywood – “Betting on Beloit”: Diane Hendricks’ Homegrown Reality Series
A&E’s upcoming 12‑episode series, Betting on Beloit, showcases billionaire Diane Hendricks—founder of ABC Supply Co., and Wisconsin’s wealthiest resident—and her daughter, Konya Hendricks Schuh, as they breathe new life into …
Understanding Survivorship Marital Property vs. Joint Tenancy in Wisconsin: What’s the Difference?
When purchasing or inheriting real estate in Wisconsin, it’s important to understand the different ways property can be owned and transferred. Two common forms of property ownership are Survivorship Marital …
Capitol Lien Named One of Minnesota’s Best Places to Work — Twice!
Capitol Lien has once again been recognized as one of Minnesota’s Top 200 Workplaces in 2025 by the Star Tribune, achieving #23 in the Small Business category. In addition to …
Why Title Searching Is Crucial to the Solar and Wind Energy Sector
As the U.S. and global markets shift toward renewable energy, large-scale solar and wind energy projects are booming. From sun-drenched deserts to rural farmland and offshore coastlines, developers are racing …
Catching the Details that Matter, Because Every Name, State, and Search Matters.
At Capitol Lien, we take pride in our accuracy, diligence, and dedication to getting it right the first time. But when things do need a second look, we’re grateful to …
Database Direct® Now Available in Idaho!
Capitol Lien is excited to announce that Database Direct®, our self-serve platform for UCC Search & File, is now available in Idaho! With Database Direct, enjoy: Nationwide UCC Filings: Fast, …
The Importance of Post-Lien Searches in Your Process
Post-lien searches are the best way to ensure your intentions are properly reflected on recordfor all to see when considering your UCC filing procedures. It comes down to three critical …