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Buying or Selling a Home/Chain of title
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Question
Hello, could you give me some pointers on how to find a chain of title for a property that I am evaluating? Are there generally public records available that I can look up, or do I have to hire a private company? I am in St. Louis, MO. Thanks!
Keri--Thanks for the question-- I'll give you some hints/tips that may help you determine the "history" of a property. First off, in many areas, the local Assessor's Office has a Website that allows the general public to review the information they have on any property in their jurisdiction. Some, though not all, have record of past purchase/sales dates, history of assessed values & sometimes names of the former owners.
If no Website, most Assessor's Offices are "open to the public" for a look-see at records that are in the "public domain!" Next possibility is a local Title Company who may give you--free-of-charge-- a "history" of a property, similar to or in more detail than what an Assessor may have! Also, checking with the "oldest" Real Estate Appraiser in town, your local Librarian or town Historian may provide some free info on the past history of a specific property!
If your evaluation of the property requires a "certified" Chain of Title--as opposed to just getting some information on the property's general history--it'll cost you! You'll need to hire a Real Estate Attorney and/or a Title Company to do the research, write the Chain of Title Report & certify it as "true & accurate!"
Good luck with your project, Keri! I hope this helps you!If ever there's anything else I can help you with, just "whistle!"
--Jim R.
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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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