About ALT Title: Our Story

alt 20th anniversary

Associates Land Transfer Company,LLC

Associates Land Transfer Company LLC, known to our clients as ALT Title or simply ALT, is a family-owned and family-run title insurance and settlement services company founded in 2002. With over 75 years of combined experience in title insurance, real estate, banking, and mortgage lending, our team has successfully closed more than 18,000 transactions spanning residential and commercial real estate. From our office in North Wales, PA, we proudly serve all of Pennsylvania as a “Preferred Agent” for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company.

The Beginning of ALT

We started ALT with a mission to disrupt the status quo of profit-sharing arrangements that began dominating the industry in the 1980s. During a time of high interest rates and rising costs, real estate brokers and lenders sought new ways to boost profits. They formed alliances with title agencies, creating confusing profit-sharing arrangements that to the consumer just sounded like a referral. While these arrangements are legal if set up properly, with the federal government’s strict guidelines it’s almost impossible to be fully compliant. Because these arrangements resulted in higher costs for consumers, we envisioned a different business model—one built on service, transparency, and consumer savings. And so, we declared our independence!

Independence

ALT is one of the few truly independent title companies in the industry. We do not participate in profit-sharing arrangements with real estate brokers, agents, or mortgage professionals. This independence allows us to prioritize our clients’ best interests over profits. By eliminating unnecessary settlement fees often charged by other title agencies, we save our customers an average of $700 or more per real estate transaction. Our commitment to independence ensures a higher level of service and integrity at every step.

Transparency

From the beginning, we set out to educate consumers about the real estate buying process and demystify closing costs. Our proprietary online Title Insurance Calculator provides a complete and accurate breakdown of our title insurance and settlement services, including municipal fees like transfer taxes and recording costs. With ALT, you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for.

Savings

Savvy consumers will save the most money, so we empower our clients with knowledge and encourage them to always shop around and compare providers. With ALT there’s no negotiating necessary. We include more services at no additional cost, and we waive all the miscellaneous settlement service fees. To date, we’ve saved homebuyers over $7.5 million.

Technology

Our dedication to transparency and consumer empowerment led us to develop innovative tools, including our proprietary Title Insurance Calculator and Closing Cost Calculator. These tools give consumers access to complete and accurate information long before settlement, ensuring there are no surprises.

But we don’t stop there.

We go above and beyond by helping our clients identify additional ways to save money throughout the home-buying process. From reducing out-of-pocket expenses at closing to connecting clients with cost-saving real estate agents and mortgage brokers, ALT is committed to putting money back in your pocket—no strings attached.

The ALT Difference

At ALT, we’re more than a title company—we’re advocates for our clients. Our mission is to combine unparalleled expertise with a steadfast commitment to fairness, transparency, and savings. By challenging industry norms and putting our clients first, we’ve built a reputation for excellence that speaks for itself. Choose ALT and experience a smarter, simpler, and more affordable way to navigate your real estate transactions.

Meet the ALT Staff

Our senior management team has over 75 years of combined experience in both residential and commercial transactions including the land acquisition for the new Souderton High School and the township dedication for the Lederach Golf Course in Harleysville, PA.

Frank Dowd
Founder, Licensed Title Agent

Frank Dowd is a seasoned real estate professional and licensed title insurance agent with more than 30 years of industry experience. Throughout his career, Frank has participated in well over 30,000 real estate transactions.

Frank began his career in 1989 as a full-time real estate salesperson and joined a prominent center city Philadelphia law firm as a corporate relocation specialist/settlement officer in 1994. With his passion for the region’s real estate market and a vision to make buying, selling, and financing real estate more transparent and affordable, he founded ALT in 2002.

Under Frank’s leadership, ALT has been at the forefront of the movement to offer title insurance and settlement services directly to the consumer through their print, online and social media platforms. Frank’s vision of an online title insurance/settlement services calculator - one that clearly and accurately defines all the fees associated with buying and refinancing real estate - is estimated to have saved consumers that have used it more than $7.5 million in unnecessary fees at the settlement table.

Frank continues to be a consumer advocate and thought leader in the industry. He frequently writes articles for several local real estate websites and blogs, offering his insider’s perspective to the challenges that consumers face in today’s real estate market. He has also been a featured contributor on national news articles discussing the real estate settlement process, escrows, and the importance of reviewing and understanding contracts.

Susan Dowd
President, Licensed Title Agent

With over 23 years of consulting experience in payroll and human resources with a local Fortune 500 company, Susan originally joined ALT as a member of our Title Clearing and Settlement Coordination Team. Since then Susan has held multiple positions within the company learning every aspect of the business. Susan is a tireless leader and her attention to detail along with her ability to coordinate, track and advance multiple projects makes her the perfect fit for the title and real estate industry. As the owner and president of ALT, Susan brings great energy and a fresh perspective to an ever changing industry. Susan earned her BS in Business Administration from Temple University.

Donna Rynn
Vice President, Paralegal & Licensed Title Agent

With over 20 years experience working as a Paralegal, Donna developed an expertise in the areas of litigation, bankruptcy, relocation services, real estate and title insurance. Before joining ALT, Donna worked more than ten years as a Paralegal/Executive Assistant for the managing partners at two prominent Philadelphia law firms. As a member of ALT’s management team, Donna has earned a reputation for her attention to detail, her professionalism and her ability to work quickly and efficiently in a fast paced and high pressure environment. Donna has earned her degree in Paralegal Studies from Peirce College in Philadelphia.

Richard Imperatore
General Counsel & Licensed Title Agent

Richard Imperatore is a licensed Pennsylvania Attorney and Title Agent, with over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry. He has counseled parties in virtually every type of real estate transaction, from residential to complex commercial matters involving public financing. In addition, he has been counsel to a bank and a mortgage company. Richard is a graduate of Gettysburg College and Temple University Law School. He and his wife reside in Glenside.

Tara Masington
Title Processor, Settlement Coordinator

Tara joined ALT in 2013 and is a great asset to the team.  With a background in customer service and administration, Tara is always ready to jump in and multi-task in our fast paced environment.  She enjoys working in the title insurance industry and as Title Processor, she gets to interact with buyers, sellers, real estate and mortgage professionals on a daily basis.  In her free time, Tara enjoys activities with her daughter and spending time at the beach.

Gail P. Murray
Consumer Marketing Consultant

With over 30 years in business to consumer marketing, Gail is fanatical about crafting effective communication. An honors graduate of West Chester University, Gail has a BS in Marketing and a minor in French. She has served the real estate industry for over 14 years and helps reinforce the consumer perspective at ALT.

Fully Compliant

ALT Title is in full compliance with ALTA Best practices.  For a complete copy of our Best Practices manual, please email us.

Old republic national title insurance premier agent PennsylvaniaPremier Agent,

ALT is among the top 10 Title Agents in PA

Old Republic National Title

ALT has achieved the Premier Agent Designation with Old Republic National Title. We are ranked in Pennsylvania's top 10 among title agencies our size.

 

Veterans ID Card Program

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Through our participation with the Veterans ID card program throughout Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Chester Counties, our Active Duty Military, Reservists and Veterans can receive a $100 credit at settlement, or other special offers, with their purchase of title insurance through ALT.

Thanks for offering that perk for vets.  Attached is my DD-214, which is proof of my service.”  -Tom F.

Giving Back Locally Program

Are you involved with a non–profit or local youth club?  ALT will donate $100 to your club or team each time your members purchase title insurance through ALT Title.

SoudertonDynamosIt was a pleasure doing business with ALT… Not only did ALT waive some fees, but they also donated $100 to my daughter’s soccer team.”  -Doug V.

Over $20,000 donated to the local community.

Get a complete and accurate Title Quote

ALT was one of the first companies to offer their customers an online title insurance calculator that details not only the title insurance premium, but all of the lender required endorsements, CPL, miscellaneous fees, county recording fees and transfer taxes.

How do our fees stack up?

View a comparison chart of ALT's fees vs our local competitors.