Unrecorded Deed

Think: Bearer Bond, only with real estate.

The deed was written. You have the signed papers in your hand. They confirm in writing and with signatures that you are the proud new owner of 123 Main Street in Wherevertown, USA.

But then you go to the county clerk's office to double check the filings, and the previous "owner" had an unrecorded deed.

So...did she own the property or not? She did sell it to you...or rather, you paid her $187,350 for the property. And, um...what now? Hm...so you call her and, how odd...her cell phone says, "The number you have called is no longer in service..."

Next time, see: Title Insurance. See: Title Search.