Working in conjunction with Lexis-Nexis, IDM has compiled a database containing more than 100 million real estate sales and ownership records. The database covers 1,050 assessment counties and 580 recorder's counties in 48 states. Updated on a daily basis, IDM's resources account for changes in property ownership for 75% of all property owners in the country.

"With the IDM deal, we have what's called real estate-related services. It gives us a backbone of information on a number of different fronts," says Daniel Kennedy Murphy, director of investor relations for FNF. "It allows us to offer a lot of different services such as flood certification and tax services. [It also] allows us to do things more efficiently and to lower our cost."

Since the merger with Chicago Title was finalized in March 2000, Fidelity has led the title insurance business with a 30% market share compared to its competition, First American Title Insurance and Land America, which each own more than 20% of the market, Murphy says. With the acquisition of IDM and its database, the firm is hoping to fortify its position in the market and widen the gap even further.