Expert: Sue Bernstein - 8/29/2008

Question
Dear Sue,
Twelve years ago I purchase a home from a church.  A lawyer handled the transaction (whom I paid as the buyer).  Twelve years later I am selling same home and have a buyer. We close in five days.  Meanwhile my realtor calls me just now and says the lawyer that is doing the title search for them says I don't even own the home.  That there was an agreement 60 years ago with another church that when the 2nd church outgrew there church that the first church was to take the properrty back in there name . A reversion.  Meanwhile, I have two mortgages on the home and have paid property taxes for twelve years.  What are my options?  Help is desperately needed.
thank you.

Answer
Get an attorney immediately.  This agreement should have come up in the title search when you purchased the home and you should have title insurance to protect you.  There is no way a bank would give you a loan without you as the legal owner.

Hope this helps

Sue Bernstein