Well... perhaps.  But I don't have the resources or expertise necessary to manage such an operation. 

I started Source of Title to help the abstractors advertise their services and provide a resource to help their clients locate them.  I have been asked many times why I don't just start a vendor management company with the data I have collected.  The answer is that I don't want to take on that much liability.  I think that a part of the problem abstractors (myself included) face is that there are too many under capitalized vendor management companies.  They take on a lot of work with thin profit margins and if they have one client not pay them, they cannot afford to pay their abstractors.  We have seen posts about many companies going under without paying for abstractors' services.  I would never want to put myself in that position.

First off, let me say that it would take a phenomenal amount of money to hire the staff to process the orders, and more importantly market the service to get the work.  I don't think that enough abstractors would be willing to pay a fee to get work, especially in advance to provide the capital it would require.  To give you an idea - out of our 10,000+ registered users, only a few hundred pay for subscriptions and enhanced listings.  I think Source of Title provides a tremendous service, still only a very small percentage is willing to pay for it.  I have even received numerous emails from people thanking me for helping them attract new clients - so we are providing a benefit now. 

Second, even though I am licensed in Ohio, I know that I do not have the expertise to handle work in other states.  The daunting task of trying to launch a national company would take a special person with far more knowledge than I have. 

Lastly, the Source of Title directory is an open directory.  That means that everyone has access to the same information I do (with a subscription) and I'm not really sure what else I could personally add to the operation.

I think that its a fine idea, but it will take someone (or some corporation) with enough capital and experience to implement it.  I appreciate your confidence in me, but I'm just not qualified to take on a project of that magnitude. 

Best,
Robert A. Franco
SOURCE OF TITLE