What do you do when two opposite answers are checked but neither initialed?

Hi Jim, I agree, that sounds fishy.  Why would anyone turn down a FREE service? 

The title company I recommend, and most of my clients end up using, makes copies...with signatures and dates.  It takes longer to wrap everything up, and, with the excitement and all, people are anxious to get out and get to their new home or whatever they need to do.  But, I believe that the wait is worth it, especially in light of this post.  Better safe than sorry....

There is a level of trust that the professional selected "2" when printing the documents so the two stacks of docs should be exact copies...however during the course of signing, if the signer changes anything, then there needs to a copy made of the changed pages. 

However, to be safe, the best bet is to make copies of what was actually signed...I agree, but many professional give the client copies of the unsigned docs as their copy....my CPA does that with Tax returns...maybe I'll make copies of the signed pages this year and shred the "original copies".

Every party to a written contract should be given a copy of the fully signed and initialled agreement.  In contract litigation, usually the rule is that you can enforce an agreement that is signed by the party to be charged in the action.  In this instance, I'd want to know who Xed both choices.  If this document was prepared by one of the agents, I'm afraid that the agent may be liable.  If someone checked the second box after the agreement was signed, then there is fraud afoot.

I particularly like Susan's comment.  I think, AR GODs, this need to be a featured post. 

I've caught mistakes all too many times at closing. And I would want to know just what I was getting into with that "free" service -- promotional mailings? Solicitations? If it's so great, why is there an opt-out choice? All parties need to get exact copies of what they signed, as in copies off a copy machine, not just printed copies.

Jim,

This is a rather ancient approach from the middle ages.

Today the easiest thing to do, is simply to make a complete set of documents as signed by making photocopies.

This older system is fraught with potential risks of errors, and this time it happened.

Brian

Jim,

This is a no-brainer. I agree with Brian. After everything is signed, by EVERYBODY, photocopy the damn thing.

Jim,

In due course, you're going to have to tell us nhow all this worked out.

Brian

Jim...I like having copies made of all documents after they are signed.  Limits the arguments about who signed what.

Jim,

I think the buyers are due a copy of everything they signed.  I would argue this point.

Ann Hayden in misty Wildwood, MO

Jim,  I always have tried  to get completely executed copies and would insist on my title company copying the documents with all signatures.  As a separate thought, to try and help your buyers,  did the title company keep a copy in their file and if so, what does it show?