Buyer Beware You've Already Paid For Your New Deed

By
Real Estate Agent with Assoc. Broker/Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, @HomesBirmingham & Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL

Buyer Beware You've Already Paid For Your New Deed

 I have posted about this before, however, the problem still persists.  

Warning

Don't pay twice for your Deed!

This is a warning to anyone who has just purchased and closed on a home.  I can't speak toDeed other parts of the country although I've read that this practice has taken place in other states as well, however, here in Alabama residents who've recently purchased a home have received letters in the mail on what appears to be an official U.S. Government document, but it is NOT!  The company claims for an $80 or $85 fee they will send the new homeowner a newly recorded Deed on the home they just purchased.  This letter does not come from the U.S. Government...it is simply a way to get people to pay for something they've already paid for and don't really need anyway.  Any homeowner can go to their County Clerks office and get a copy of their recorded Deed and only have to pay about $10 and not the much higher fee asked for in the letter...in most cases you really don't need a copy at all.  Part of the closing costs paid when purchasing a home goes directly toward recording your Deed...so you've paid for it....the closing attorney has recorded your deed for you.  There is a lot of information given out and documents signed at the closing table and this little item may have gotten lost or forgotten by the buyer during that somewhat stressful time.  The closing attorney usually goes the day of closing to the County Clerks office and records the Deed and the homeowner is told that they will receive a copy in the mail shortly after, but sometimes up to six weeks later at least this is how it happens in Alabama.  Other states vary as to when Deed and keys are delivered...real estate is Local!

The best thing to do if you receive such a letter in the mail suggesting that you need a recorded deed and that one will be provided for a fee is to call the closing attorney or the Realtor that represented you.

Home search with Your Huntsville Real Estate Resource

Adapted from original content published at....http://actvra.in/49YZ

 

Nick T Pappas 

If you need a knowledgeable real estate professional in Madison or Huntsville Alabama area, why don't you let me Google that for you! I also know outstanding agents in all states and Canada should you need help relocating to a new area.

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Comments (21)

Gerard Gilbers
Higher Authority Markeing - Asheboro, NC
Your Marketing Master

I have not heard of this scam, although it does not surprise me. This should be a case where they new homeowner should be told to contact their agent if they have any questions about the documents. It wouldn't hurt to mention this to them directly at closing so they are aware of this scam. Great info.

Jun 21, 2014 08:15 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker/Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, @HomesBirmingham & Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Hun... - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

PJ-thanks, this scam is pretty easy to get fooled by.

Jun 21, 2014 08:27 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker/Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, @HomesBirmingham & Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Hun... - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Gerard-you are correct-I always make sure clients know to call me if they have any questions or concerns.  Also, it has become standard operating procedure to inform clients about this at the closing table.  There are other things I tell them about regarding their deed...they are well informed.

Jun 21, 2014 08:31 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Nick - great warning post to the people in Alabama. I'm sure other states gets this too. Here in TX there are scams asking new buyers to send money to file their home exemption. That's a scam. Realtors and the Escrow Officer at the Title Companies warn them, but I know some people do it anyway. They would rather spend $80.00 than take a chance.

Buyers in Alabama, if you have questions after the sale, call Nick Pappas! Nick will always tell you the truth and give you the right answer.

Jun 21, 2014 08:33 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Nick good advice, and if Buyers are paying attention at their Closing they will not fall for this scam because the Closing Attorney tells them he/she will be recording the Deed on the Land Records, and it is also a charge on the HUD-1.

Jun 21, 2014 08:53 AM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

This is a new one for me...so I'm glad you've brought it up again. I wish some people would find a more constructive use of their time and skills. 

Jun 21, 2014 10:28 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I had heard about this one but had not seen it here yet.  Hopefully I won't 

Jun 21, 2014 01:46 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

I just shake my head at the ways people try to scam others.....this is good information for new homeowners.

Jun 21, 2014 03:20 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Nick. Thank you for sharing about these letters that go out to homeowners that just recently purchased a home. I had not heard about this one and will keep my eyes open for it.

Jun 21, 2014 08:09 PM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Hi Nick, I have never heard about this dilemma but thanks for sharing. People have to check everything and it is funny how you always get over charged but not undercharged in life.

Jun 22, 2014 12:32 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker/Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, @HomesBirmingham & Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Hun... - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

The way this first caught my attention was that I received one of these letters through the mail after I purchased a home here in Alabama.  It was all very official and urgent sounding.  I've had some clients tell me that they've received such letters so I know it's still a problem.  At the closing table not only do I remind buyers of this, but the closing attorney does as well.  

Jun 22, 2014 04:19 AM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

Nick,

I have seen this scam many years back on the East Coast.

Some scams are persistent and don't seem to go away, meaning they must be unfortunately successful.

Jun 22, 2014 11:55 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, letters like this come to Florida as well, Nick.  (Actually, I think that every scam that exists these days probably started in Florida)

Jun 22, 2014 10:56 PM
Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

Hi Nick: Scams are getting more pervasive and in many various forms. Most of the times these scam letters look very legitimate with deceptive government agency seals or stamps.

Thanks for the heads up.

Jun 23, 2014 08:09 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate - St. George, UT
So Utah Residential, Referral & Relocation REALTOR

Nick, I have advised clients of this very thing! Great information to pass along to all consumers after purchase. *Suggested!

Jun 23, 2014 11:20 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Nick great subject to blog about,;this is a nationwide scam and your post might help someone to avoid it.

Jun 23, 2014 02:38 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Nick, if only those people would spend their time scheming for something good, Nick.

Jun 24, 2014 09:38 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Nick, I tell my buyers to beware of this and the title and closing companies do the same. Some people still fall for it.

Jun 26, 2014 12:34 PM
Cat Zwicker, CRS
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!

This is not something I've seen happen in our area so guess forewarned is forearmed! Thanks Nick! 

Jul 07, 2014 07:55 AM
Ana Hitzel
AccentPositives Home Staging - Corona, CA
Professional Home Stager Inland Empire

Thanks for the info, there are a lot of Deed and Title scams in Cali and just like other states it helps to be informed. It's a good thing also to check your State's Attorney General's  website often as there is usually up to date info on these type scams.

Jul 11, 2014 02:15 PM

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