You Transferred Title HOW?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 DRE# ER40011786

 

Our local association offered a class on the new 2021 contracts.  Not all are changing, but a few, and was interesting to hear about the changes.

 

The instructor reviewed the transfer of the Deed, and which ones should be used in Colorado.    During this time, it reminded me of an interesting transaction a few years back.

 

My buyer LOVED this house - it was a 1970's house but had been completely remodeled.  The kitchen and bathrooms and had been gutted, new flooring, new windows, so did not feel like an older home.   The Buyer went pending, and when we got the title work there were quite a few items that needed correcting.

 

Come to find out, the agent knew this homeowner, and he was in trouble financially, and this agent bought it from him, ON A QUIT CLAIM DEED.

 

This was the kicker - a couple of weeks into this transaction, I get a call from an Attorney that was handling the bankruptcy for this homeowner.    It was a shock to hear, the home was PART OF THE BANKRUPTCY.    This agent had no rights to list or sell it, and this attorney was preparing documentation to prosecute this agent.

 

After this call, I called the agent, and relayed the conversation, and also heard, this agent had spent around $60k remodeling this home.   OH MY!

 

To make a long story short, the Buyer remained in the transaction for a month after knowledge of the title issue but finally said - OK, I'm done, and got his earnest monies returned.

 

I was thinking this agent may lose his license, as this was a very risky transaction, but he is still active.   This home was taken by the attorney, and not sure if this agent ever recouped the dollars he invested, but sure he learned a lesson, an expensive one!

 

Comments (18)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Now that is some story, Joan! That agent is lucky he wasn't censured by the State Board. As you said... an expensive way to learn a lesson.

Dec 18, 2020 06:26 AM
Roy Kelley
Realty Group Referrals - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good story to share.

Take care, be safe and have a great day.

Dec 18, 2020 06:29 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles Pasadena 818.516.4393

Hello Joan - OOPS!.  Examples of the lack of knowledge can be scary.  Unfortunately, they can and continue  to fill books.  And court cases.  

Dec 18, 2020 06:32 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Joan Cox - all I can say is that there is an easy way and an expensive way to learn a lesson.

Dec 18, 2020 07:02 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Nina Hollander I thought there was a chance, he would lose his license, as that stunt was a very costly one.   He was lucky.

Dec 18, 2020 07:09 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Roy, I would THINK most agents would not even THINK of doing this!  Hopefully! 

Dec 18, 2020 07:09 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael Jacobs it would be interesting to hear how much more it cost this agent dealing with the attorney.   Very costly mistake.

Dec 18, 2020 07:10 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Grant, I agree, and bet he would want a "do-over" on this one!  

Dec 18, 2020 07:10 AM
Raymond Henson, SRES, GRI
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Wow, that is a true cautionary tale.  Just yesterday I was on the phone with a potential client.  I asked her if she was in charge of the trust that was listed as the owner on the tax records.  She said, "what trust."  Maybe it is a mistake, but now we need to do a little research. 

Dec 18, 2020 10:20 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Raymond Henson, SRES, GRI Wow, you just cannot ask enough questions....to be sure everyone is safe.

Dec 18, 2020 10:24 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Joan, I think one day I am going to write a book ...."Real Estate: The Dumb Agents"

Dec 18, 2020 01:55 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty you SHOULD, and it will be a best seller.  I think we could....

Dec 18, 2020 02:43 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Well that is a depressing story and I can see it happening 😧

Happy Friday Evening again Joan Cox 

Dec 18, 2020 07:58 PM
Brian England
Vacasa - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Wow, that is crazy and certainly an expensive lesson to learn.  I always get the title checked out before I even begin to list a home for sale.

Dec 19, 2020 04:40 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Paul, I was shocked, that is not how you transfer property.

Dec 19, 2020 06:16 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Brian England I am shocked this could have happened, as the active BK had to show up.

Dec 19, 2020 06:17 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Joan Cox ,

Just saw your post when Brian England re-blogged this post. WOW!! How stupid was this agent..I can't even begin to imagine what possessed him to do that!! Did he need a  listing that bad? I too always have the title checked when I'm listing a home just to make sure no issues.

Dec 19, 2020 08:05 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Dorie, it was shocking an agent could transfer the deed on a quit claim deed.   That sure was a first! 

Dec 20, 2020 06:55 AM

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