Buying or Selling a Home/Selling house and land

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Expert: Jim Root - 6/1/2008


Question
My great-grandmother left my father her house and land which we have all been living in for the last 45 years.  My father died 8 years ago and now my mother wants to sell the house and land.  She does not have a property deed.  How can she go about selling without this document?

Answer
Michelle--

When Dad died 8 years ago his estate should have been settled--probably through an Attorney or a Trustee who was to see to it that all Heirs got whatever Dad had left to them. Or if he had no Will, the State would have settled this matter.

If Great Grandma actually willed the property to your Dad, there should have been a Deed or some legal Documentation placing the property in  your Dad's ownership. There's GOT to be a Deed somewhere! Without one there can be NO transfer of ownership--somehow the property has to be OWNED by your Mom  before she can sell it!

You--or she--need to obtain the services of an Attorney to help find the Deed and ensure that the property is placed into proper ownership per your Dad's wishes OR the legal orders of the State if no will existed. GET A LAWYER ASAP!

GOOD LUCK, Michelle!

--JIM

Buying or Selling a Home

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Jim Root

Expertise

How to select the right Real Estate Salesperson & Loan Officer--ones who will serve your best interests! House-hunting tips & suggestions on selection of the home best for your family needs. Introduction to the Home Buying Process & all the "Players" involved.What is of utmost important to the Homebuyer? Real Estate Contracts & Negotiations, Appraisal needs, Title Co. involvement, Home Inspection issues& the Closing/Escrow systems, etc. Whatever your question, the answer will follow, whether from personal knowledge or research! Gale, shown here with me, has been a Real Estate Office Administrator, licensed Realtor & has served as my Research Assistant over the years!

Experience

Over 30 years as a "Real Estate Professional." including Real Estate Marketing & Sales, Appraisal work, Mortgage Banking & as a Realty Officer with U.S Dept. of HUD's FHA Homeownership Division in Alaska, Washington & Idaho! Some experience in Montana, California, Utah & Nevada markets!Knowledge of National Markets by continuous Research!

Organizations
Former member of Nat'l Ass'n of Realtors (NAR) & Mortgage Bankers Ass'n of America (MBAA). Currently with National Association of Review Appraisers & Mortgage Underwriters (NARA/MU).

Publications
Published in various local, state, regional & national Real Estate-related magazines & newsletters!Co-author of various Govt. publications on Homeownership, Appraisals & Mortgages while with HUD/FHA.

Education/Credentials
Associate Degree in Real Estate Studies plus: Numerous Real Estate-related Courses conducted by the U. S. Government & Private Industry over the past 30 years. Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications, Masters Degree in Education/Teaching

Awards and Honors
Professional Designations: Certified Residential Originator (CRO) from MBAA, Registered Mortgage Underwiter (RMU) & Certified Review Appraiser (CRA) from NARA/MU. Outstanding Peformance Awards for 10 of the 12 years with HUD/FHA & numerous Sales/Listing Awards while a licensed Real Estate Agent.

Past/Present Clients
No longer selling/listing Real Estate, nor Appraising properties, nor working in the Mortgage business, this "Real Estate Pro" serves as Director of a Company that provides Professional Development Seminars & Workshops to the "Real Estate Industry" and provides free (as needed) & fee-paid (on a sliding scale) consulting & inspection services to members of the general public.Your questions will be answered without "salesmanship" & with your best interests in mind!

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