June 30, 2008

My name is Bill Boyd and I am running for Register of Deeds in Hillsborough County. Thank you very much for taking the opportunity to learn more about the office and my campaign, but most importantly, thank you for reading my blog.

For most Americans, the opportunity for financial security occurs through home ownership. The Registry of Deeds processes information as it relates to the buying and selling of real property. As a real estate title examiner and registry user, the accuracy of the Registry's information is vital and critical for me to provide the best abstract of information possible to the consumer. As a candidate for Register of Deeds, I take this responsibility very seriously to ensure that the records of property transactions in Hillsborough County are accurate, correct and satisfy state standards. The Registry of Deeds must continually maintain and preserve these documents to provide the legal basis for a property owner's investment decisions while protecting their financial interests.

My campaign for Register focuses on several issues:

1) Economies: I am a fiscal conservative. It is very important that in this economy that the Registry continues to provide the county community its registry services while repositioning itself strategically for the next real estate boom. We need to ensure that the registry continues to exercise fiscal prudence with its budget while maintaining appropriate service levels. I'd also explore making the Registry of Deeds building, a "green" building to provide self-sustaining energy resources while reducing costs.

2) Efficiencies: The registry must continue moving towards paperless technology, like the Registry's current "Simplifile" program, allowing all consumers the ability to make land transactions when it is most convenient to them. I would continue to utilize existing and newer technologies to further streamline the Registry's processes. I'd also like to institute a first time user program that would allow all people with Internet access the opportunity to print off a copy of their deed at no charge.

3) Transparency: The legal community and general public should know more about how land transactions are impacting their lives, locally, state and nationwide. Instituting a blog that communicates and educates the general public about current legal and real estate matters would provide real time updates for the general public. The Register of Deeds is in a position to provide real public service to the county community at large and should serve as a conduit of information on matters affecting the general public as it relates to real estate.

As we continue to move the Registry further forward in the 21st century, technology will be a key component to provide the level of services necessary for the legal community and the general public. I am excited to be a part of this race and sharing my vision with you for a continued "user-friendly" Registry of Deeds. My hope is this blog will stimulate discussion about the campaign, the issues and real estate matters in general. Please reach out with your thoughts; I look forward to hearing about your views relating to the Registry of Deeds.