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YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, WE HAVE ANSWERS!
VIVA ESCROW Q & A SEGMENT
(Real questions sent to us – verbatim!)
QUESTION:
Hi, in my purchase closing documents, I received the recorded “grant deed”. I wasn’t sure if this was the official one, because there’s a part that’s crossed out and hand-corrected. That seems strange for such an official document. Is the document legal with those handwritten changes?
ANSWER:
There are times when a document might have a typographical error when it was first prepared and then signed. In order to make sure the document is recorded correctly, the Title Company who will help us with the recording will advise us what changes must be made. In order that closing is not delayed, we will authorize it only if the change is a correction and not a substantive change.
In the case of your Deed, there was a typographical error to the Tax Assessor’s parcel number. If we did not correct it at the time, the Assessor’s office would have come back weeks after closing and ask that the document be corrected, re-signed, re-notarized and then re-recorded so that their process of transferring the tax bill to you could be completed.
Although we wish changes did not have to be made, yes, the way the document is changed, even if it is by hand, is “legal” and necessary.
EDUCATIONAL MOMENT:
Let’s face it, we are not perfect. Sometimes there will be typos as you try to read an old document and mix up a “6” with an “8”. Or the County Recorder wants us to type out “Limited Liability Company” instead of just LLC. Or the Buyer added a middle initial at the end. Sometimes these changes have to be made on documents that were already signed and notarized. Some escrow or title companies have typewriters so when the change is made, it looks clean. If there are no typewriters (because that is one office equipment that got lost by the wayside when the computer came into being), then the change will be made by hand. It may not look as nice and clean, but the important thing is that the necessary corrections are made and the County Recorder accepts the document to record. Once it is recorded, the document becomes set, can no longer be changed, and is made part of public record.
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~ Video of the Month ~
You think that house is weird, try this one!
People Laughed at His House, Until They Went Inside
(20 minute video so take your time and be amazed)
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~ Quote of the Month ~
“As I watch this generation try and rewrite our history, I’m sure of one thing:
it will be misspelled and have no punctuation.”
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“Unintended” Contract Fraud
When the signed contract is changed by one party and not disclosed to the other
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You Have Questions? We Have Answers!
Juliana Tu, CSEO, CEO, CBSS, CEI, SASIP
“Escrow is my FOREMOST language!”
Advance Disclosure:
The opinions expressed in this blog are solely the author’s.
Your comments and viewpoints are always welcome.
Info @ VivaEscrow.com