Welcome to Marissa On The Record, a series featuring interviews and blog posts that explore the world of due diligence, title, banking, real estate, and everything in between. Hosted by Marissa Berends, Certified Abstractor and Industry Relations Coordinator at Capitol Lien, the series brings industry voices together to break down complex topics into content that is informative, approachable, and even a little fun. Whether it’s a conversation with a fellow professional or a deep dive into a trending topic, Marissa delivers clear, practical insights from across the industry.
Interested in being featured on Marissa On The Record or want to share Marissa’s content with your audience? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us at marketing@capitollien.com to discuss interview opportunities, guest contributions, or syndication of Marissa’s posts.
- Marissa on the Record – Episode 004 – Sarah Hedtke
Welcome back to Episode 4 of Marissa on the Record! The Wisconsin Land Title Association (WLTA) Spring Convention is headed to Green Bay, Wisconsin (April 16-17), and I can’t think … - Marissa on the Record – Episode 003 – Brendan Rooney
We’re back with Episode 3 of Marissa On The Record! My third guest is none other than Brendan Rooney! Brendan and I met at my very first Wisconsin Land Title … - Marissa on the Record – Episode 002 – Allison Kalweit
Welcome back to Marissa on the Record! Our second episode is an interview with a fresh face in the title industry, First American’s own Allison Kalweit! Allison works as underwriting … - Marissa on the Record – Episode 001 – Brandt Keefe
Welcome to the very first episode of “Marissa On The Record” my new 2026 interview series exploring the world of due diligence, from title and banking to real estate, and … - 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. - Make It Make Sense: 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 … - 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 … - 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
IMPORTANT UPDATE (March 2026): FinCEN Real Estate Reporting Requirements PausedIf you’re following the FinCEN Real Estate Reporting Rule, there’s a significant development you need to know about. On Thursday, March … - 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 … - 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
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational and industry-awareness purposes only. Capitol Lien is not affiliated with or involved in the Port Washington data center project or any related development … - 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 … - 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 … - 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? Why It’s Being Promoted Why the Title Industry Is Skeptical 1. Consumer Protection & Fraud Risk 2. Federal Overreach vs. State Regulation 3. … - 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 … - How “Buy Now, Pay Later” Loans Are Starting to Affect Your Credit Score
“Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services—offered by companies like Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay, and PayPal—have exploded in popularity over the past few years. They allow consumers to make purchases and pay … - How Another War in the Middle East Could Impact the Housing Market
The prospect of a new war in the Middle East carries serious geopolitical and economic consequences—and the ripple effects could reach deep into the U.S. housing market. While it’s impossible … - The Implications of Publicizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on the Mortgage Industry
In the wake of financial reform discussions and a housing market constantly shifting under economic pressures, the long-debated question of whether to publicize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—two government-sponsored enterprises … - The Shift to a Buyer’s Market in 2025: What’s Driving the Change
After years of an aggressive seller’s market characterized by bidding wars, sky-high prices, and historically low inventory, the U.S. housing market has finally pivoted in 2025 — and buyers are … - The Aging of the American Homebuyer: A 40-Year Shift and Its Economic Impact
Over the past four decades, the demographic profile of U.S. homebuyers has undergone a significant transformation. In 1981, the median age of all homebuyers was 31 years, with first-time buyers … - 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 … - The Impact of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on the Real Estate Sector
President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” recently passed by the House, introduces significant changes with potential implications for the U.S. real estate sector. While the bill aims to stimulate economic growth through tax reforms and spending adjustments, its provisions could have varied effects on homeowners, investors, and the broader housing market.