About Marlon Doerre Expertise Texas Real Estate: Any real estate related question Involving the purchase/sale of real property; financing (residential) transactions; curing title; and closing of real estate transactions located in Texaas. Will not answer questions related to properties outside of Texas.
Experience Licensed Attorney, Mortgage Broker, Realtor and Escrow Officer. I have been curing title and closing real estate transactions for over 12 years
Education/Credentials B.S. Texas A&M University; J.D. University of Texas School of Law
Question I looked at a "buildable lot" in a campground resort (Liberty Co. Texas) that the nonresident owners offered for free. I paid someone with the resort to research the property. It turned out that the property had outstanding taxes, Property Owners Association fees unpaid, and was in a flood plain. I did not want the property.
A couple years later, I received notice from the county that I owed back taxes on the property.
Getting a copy of the county county documents, the owners transferred the property into my name. However, the used my middle name and not my first name. I did not sign anything!
How do I get my name off the property? The county appraisal lists the property at $3000.00, but I can not give it away!
Answer Hmm, that is a good question. This is the first time, I have encountered a situation like this.
I suggest that you review all the correspondence between you and the individuals involved to make sure that you didn't agree to assume ownership. If there was no agreement and you believe fraud was involved, I would then:
Contact the county tax assessor and notify him that you did not purchase the property and that you are not the legal owner. I would notify him that there had to be some sort of "fraud" involved to place the title in your name. I would also go to the County Clerk's office and research the title to the lot. Pull a copy of the last recorded deed and see if the seller's actually recorded a deed into your name or if they simply "rendered" the taxes in your name.
If the owner conveyed title to you, you will need to consult with an attorney. You will likely need to locate the "grantor" of the deed and convey the property back to him and "render" the taxes in his name. However, your attorney will need to assist you so that you do it properly.
