I live in NY, and my LLC partner lives in CA.When we open a new business bank account, they require us to both sign forms, even though we are both owners of the LLC.

Another question, why does every agent try to get me to sign a one year contract when I ask to place an offer for me. 

My Daughter was going away for college and i started with a Student rental. went out there to see the college saw this house for sale stopped at the realtor, went to see it and then put an offer on it, later on the seller signed the papers. that was 4 1/2 years ago. my daughter left there 2 years ago, but i still own it, plus others.

We got really lucky when we found our first duplex; we found it by following some “OPEN HOUSE” signs.

My advertising (a for rent sign and Zillow ad) has been much lower, ostensibly due to the holiday season not being the best time of year to get a place rented out.

The son, a doctor, signed the lease and pays for the mother.

They all expressed willingness to sign a contract.

Fill out the doc and meet seller at a bank to sign and notary.

Some counties take months to record others take hours so based on your scenario the day the title was signed over to you is what I would use. 

In my experience, foreclosures have a "sign-in" sheet that shows who entered the home and when.