[kevinbahnz]

Hello, first I would like to thank everyone for their input. I know this is off topic but we've had many threads on real estate before. So my mother just called me from Massachusetts and she is hysterical because she just found out that there is a strangers name on the title down at city hall. My father passed away in 2006 and left her 2 houses. She sold one in 2007 and she refinanced the other in 2008. I was present during both of the transactions and we did have lawyers .Could this be an honest clerical error or is someone trying to get over on her. She is trying to sell her house and move down here with us. I can't do anything for her right now because I'm 800 miles away.

[ddk632]

It sounds like an honest mistake.

Mortgage, title, and other real estate documents are public record. You should be able to look into the property history and current documents on the property appraiser's / tax collector's website in the county where the property is located. If they don't have this service online your mother may need to call. She should also have copies of the loan docs, deed, etc., and should be able to verify names on the docs.

If the names on the docs are correct and the docs are current (no newer refi, etc) then it should not be difficult to provide the clerk with the proof of who owns the property and have the county property appraiser / tax collector fix the clerical error.

In case my terminology is incorrect, down here in Broward County, Florida, the website for the county property appraiser is http://www.bcpa.net. I imagine most counties these days have a similar website where you can look up property records.

[kevinbahnz]

Thank you, that will give me something to do while i'm down here.

[kevinbahnz]

i Just went on the city's website and searched for the property records and I only see her name on the owners line and I asked my brother to send me a picture of the property tax bill and there's only one name on there, So i have no idea what she is talking about.

[kawasaki00]

Originally Posted by kevinbahnz

i Just went on the city's website and searched for the property records and I only see her name on the owners line and I asked my brother to send me a picture of the property tax bill and there's only one name on there, So i have no idea what she is talking about.

Being from NC and my wife is a broker. It is usually a error on the part of the attorney office that prepared the deed. The ROD just records what they are presented. You will have to get with whatever lawyer drew the previous papers and have them fix it.
You might get stuck with the bill for a title exam but it will all work out.