All Forum Posts by: Dani Beit-Or

@Henry Lazerow 

When I buy a property w/ title ins. - how will that prevent someone from "stealing"? My title ins. won't cover future property theft, only past mistakes they missed on the title. Do you understand it any differently?

@Account Closed while I'm sure you are correct this can still happen to anyone. 

I think we can all use more methods to prevent this from happening. 

@Darius Ogloza WOW!!!

Can you send a link? I googled but only similar names came up.

Do you have any suggestions on how to add more levels of prevention? 

@Karl B. good point. 

Hard to fins such incidents . . . it's like they are under the radar/rare

@Bjorn Ahlblad TY for the link.

The article is from 2008 + the suggestions on prevention are "weak" in my opinion. 

@Lacy Gonzales ty of the clarification! 

Multiple forms of ID are excellent  but could also be late by the time we meet the notary. Better than 1 form of id for sure. 

I have two goals for this post:

1. Increase awareness of the issue
2. Find ways to decrease the chances of this happening

Note: I'm not an attorney. Just an investor. 

Several weeks ago I read a post on FB about someone who got their house stolen . . . as in a form or result of ID theft. Unfortunately, I don't have the details.

When I read it, it struck a nerve. For approx. 15 years I have always wondered how relatively easy or not complicated it is to steal property. Honestly, I'm shocked it is not more common. 

The next thing I did is to speak to two attornies and one title guy. I'm still looking to speak w/ more such functions.

Do you want to guess what was the attorney's first answer? talk to the title.

Guess what title says . . . you got it . . . talk to an attorney.

LOL would be sarcstic.

The first att. I spoke to had no clue. She kept getting back to how I should protect my identity from theft. When I told her that ID theft has nothing to do w/ property theft and that you don't need a SSN to steal a house  . . . she kept circling back to ID theft and protecting it. I was not impressed . . . at all.

The second att. was more helpful. First, he acknowledged it is rather not complicated to do/accomplish. Then he said that in the past counties would have (free or for cost) a mechanism that lets the owner know and seek approval before ANY changes are made to the title. BTW, while this is a good protection layer it is far from perfect. 

The title guy had no answer. And said about the county he knows well that they have no such notification service.

In the past, someone told me he adds on the deed something like "call Jim Smith at  ### or email at @@@ for any changes".   At the time I thought it was a great idea. But I don't think anyone regularly reads the deed.

Either title or one of the attornies said that the notary should review the deed before signing. After many hundreds of notarizations, I doubt any notary does so (I could be wrong).

Like protecting our house from break-in I guess we cannot have it 100% protected but if we add bars, alarm, lights, patrol, etc. it will make it harder/less attractive for someone to break-in.

Do you have any good ways we, owners, can have better protection of our title/properties? I'll take "better" than what we have today or more difficult than what we have now.

So what's your solution, suggestion, idea?

@Gary Parilis if this is the situation I'd seek legal consult not to draw an agreement but to help make sure you covered things you both did not anticipate. 

What a great question!

Here's the Qs I ask all those I consult when asked this question:

1. Are you available to show the house?
2. Are you good with quickly responding to inquiries and questions?
3. Can you REALLY be cool about your house’s price and condition?
4. Do you know how to screen buyers?
5. Are you open to an expert’s advice on pricing, staging, and prepping the house for sale?
6. Are you open to do repairs and some improvements before listing?

Good luck

I'd say first sit/meet and outline the "What Ifs" situations you can come up with. This will also serve you should you decide to seek legal work - you'll be able to provide an att. listy o things you have talked through. 

This is your opp. to discuss the uncomfortable staff . . . you most likely will never have this opp. unless you decide to sit/meet and discuss it. 

Don't seek perfection - it will not happen. What you will have is the spirit of an agreement + many pre-discussed situations.  

If you agree and in good standing w/ each other maybe it does not need to seek legal work BUT must do an agreement to be If signed that spells everything you discussed.  

If you cannot agree and still want to work together than seek legal consult. 

It is also possible that the conversation will generate tension which may end up not working together.

Such meet is: smaller inconvenience saves a bigger inconvenience kind of a mindset.  

If you plan to agree on everything - it won't happen. At some point a leap of faith is needed - the big Q is how big is the gap. 

Good luck!