
A graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law, Robert H. Skeen, Jr., Esq., is Underwriting Counsel for BesTitle Agency from the Charleston Office. He has been with BesTitle for 8 years, joining the agency after working with the team through his private practice. Bob says his clients and colleagues describe him as experienced, approachable, and friendly, making him a perfect fit for the BesTitle team.
He believes that the speed, accuracy, and experience offered by BesTitle sets it apart from others in the industry. As a result, he says, BesTitle has good relationships with many lenders and realtors, making for a bright future for the title agency.
Having worked in the industry since the late 1960s and early 1970s, Bob has a wealth of experience that the entire BesTitle team taps into. We recently had the opportunity to talk with him about how the industry has changed over the years, the frequent issues he faces in real estate transactions, and what are the biggest challenges facing home buyers and sellers in this housing market.
What are some of the biggest changes in the industry over the years?
The biggest changes in this business are the use of title insurance with loans and often with owners’ insurance. We do not often proceed with just a title opinion letter from an attorney. The other huge change is the rise of the threat of cyber fraud and identity theft and the effort and money necessary to combat and prevent it.
What are some of the most frequent issues that you encounter in real estate transactions?
We frequently encounter attempted sales from unsettled estates and are tasked with dealing with the realities of our increasingly mobile society, with Sellers and Grantors being in often unknown or distant locations.
What have been some of the more challenging issues facing homebuyers/sellers in this recent housing market?
The most severe issues facing home buyers today are lack of inventory and prices of homes. The “feeding frenzy” and “bidding wars” during the historic low interest rates brought on by Covid depleted available houses on the market and escalated sales prices.
When not serving his BesTitle customers, Robert enjoys reading and fly fishing and has a daughter who is a realtor and a son who is a Fishing Guide. As for advice he might give to someone just starting, he says, “Work hard and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Never think you know it all.”