How to find the mortgage holder.

Question

Two year have passed since the death of the owner. Taxes are still being paid bi-annually. The Spokane assessors office has given two sources but neither one could find or locate any records on the property. The Office also told us there is a lean on the property. Any creative ideas out there to find needed information?

Note: there is posted on the side door a notice from Safeguard Properties but they had nothing to share.

Ken

Note: there is posted on the side door a notice from Safeguard Properties but they had nothing to share.

Ken

Wayne Brooks · Answer

@Lisa Michaels Well, they certainly can't give you legal advice about a property where the owner died, and may or may not be in probate.  The clerk's office has only a couple of basic functions.....receive documents to be recorded, and maintain those records for access (along with the documents/filing for law suits).  They do Not generally generate any kind of "lists" that you may be looking for.  They do have the records for foreclosure filings, you have to learn how to search them.  They also have mortgages recorded, which are very easy to search, typically online. Note that "notes" are not recorded. You need to get familiar with their online Official Records search.

Lisa Michaels · Answer

@Wayne Brooks

Lisa Michaels · Answer

On last week I came across 3 properties with DN/death notice... I asked 3 clerks if I was able to purchase the properties? The clerks stated that they don't have the information on foreclosures, mortgages of record. No one could give me any answers......

Wayne Brooks · Answer

@Lisa Michaels What are you asking them?

Lisa Michaels · Answer

Wayne Brooks,

I'm on the tax assessor's site all the time. I've called, visited the clerks office...everyone acts as if I'm speaking a  different language... Any suggestions???

Thanks,

L

Wayne Brooks · Answer

Tou need to learn how to use the local records.  Assessor a/property appraisers generally only deal with ownership. Some dept, clerk of court/recorders office...whatever they call it there, shows mortgages of record, and somewhere any pending foreclosures.  But more importantly, you will need someone will legal authority, an heir or executor, etc. or bank can not disclose any information.  Without any equity, or authority to talk to the bank, this is a useless pursuit.

Mark F. · Answer

@Ken Kosch  I'd get a title insurance company involved (assuming you haven't already). They are experts at tracking this kind of stuff down and then they can issue the owner's title policy when you close on the property (assuming you do) to make sure anything they didn't find doesn't come back to bite you later.

How to find the mortgage holder.

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