Well if you didn't have a professor to listen to then I hope it only takes one hard knock along the bumpy road for the rest of us to learn.  That is all it took for me.  I actually really started diversifying in the types of clients and the types of work I perform when the interest rates hit the ceiling around 2000 and title work almost ceased to exist for awhile.  No matter how or what each of us decides to do, it does make a difference in your stand in pricing and work product when that client isn't so important to your business that they can hang you by the toes and you will take it.  If one type of work is down the other is usually up so balance is real important in staying solvent.  For example say residential purchase title work is a little down then foreclosure work is usually up.  Foreclosures have seen a big swing up in the last year or so - some of my counties seeing triple the normal postings per month.  Investors can be found on a particular day of the month at the courthouse during certain hours and card can be given out during that time.  I will tell you all make sure that you get money up front for these folks before faxing the title work - some are serious investors and some are fly by the night - I'll try it and if I don't get the house I won't pay the abstractor.  When I take in the work for like 1 or so, I say okay that will be blank dollars - please mail it tonight and I should get it by the time I finish your work - when I receive it I will fax it to you.  On big orders and some can be 40 titles a month - (note we all reduce our rates for investor title work) - I ask for 1/2 down and then 1/2 when completed.