Expert: Dick Dennis - 5/28/2006

Question
My neighbor approached my husband and I about purchasing a portion of our backyard to put up a development. If we agree, what are the proper steps to do you take when selling your land.  Do we need to notify our mortgage company? Title company?  I live in the state of WA.

Thank you!  

Answer
First of all, Darany, you better contact the zoning commission or the planning board of your city or county and ask them what you must do (if they will even let you) to do the lot split.

Then the mortgage company needs to be contacted because you are selling off (if you're successful in doing it) part of their security. You would no doubt have to pay them at least part of your mortgage.

Once those two are taken care of, the title company automatically comes into the picture once the transaction is working (if it works).

I wish you well.

Dick Dennis       dixiedee13@aol.com