Secure Title Lock

Scams are prevalent in all businesses, and the real estate market isn't spared from them. Whether it be a contractor who asks to get paid for work not done or a seller projecting sketchy motives, they'll do anything to turn homeowners and prospective buyers' hard-earned money into a quick profit. To help spot these schemes, here's a rundown of the most common real estate frauds. Plus, some advice on how to avoid them. Online Rental/Sale Scams  Fraudsters copy a listing and publish it on different websites with their information, pretending they're the owner or manager of the property. Others will hack into original posts and offer them at a very low price. They ask victims to wire a security deposit, months of advanced payment, or broker fees. How to avoid them:  Beware of sellers who ask for an upfront payment that must be wired abroad. Read all the terms and conditions before signing anything. Mortgage Compression or Loan Modification Scams T...

Are you a homeowner? Then, you should learn about title theft, as this criminal scheme threatens the security of your property. Knowing more about it can help you avoid falling prey to this crime. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about it. What is title theft? Title theft, which is also known as property fraud, happens when people steal your identity and use it to impersonate you. They then do legal and financial transactions to transfer your home under their ownership. Once they have your assets in their hands, they'll take out as many loans as possible, using these as collateral for the debt. Usually, the homeowner is unaware of these illegal activities until they're notified by the lending party that they want to foreclose the house. How do these criminals perform identity theft? They obtain your personal information, such as your birth date, Social Security number, and credit card details using various means. It used to be a pretty rare probl...

An important part of buying a home is completing a title search on the property. This provides essential information that a potential buyer needs to ensure that they don’t suffer any problems after the purchase. While many people know that they need a title search, they may not know what it entails or why it’s important. Here is what you should know about a property title search. What is a Title Search? A title search is the process of searching multiple sources to discover if there are any claims or financial issues regarding the property. The search will include deeds, county land records, tax liens, divorce cases, and bankruptcy records. You want to ensure that nobody else is claiming to be the owner of the property and that there are no financial judgments against the owner that could be attached to the property. The search will usually be done once the offer for the property has been accepted. If you order a title search, you’ll be looking for a clean property title. Th...