How can I clear a title cloud from a past tax foreclosure that lists unknown heirs so I can sell this property? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a past tax foreclosure that named “unknown heirs” can leave a title company or buyer concerned about whether everyone who might have claimed an interest…
How do I get a quitclaim deed prepared and recorded to transfer a property interest for a mortgage or loan in my name? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a quitclaim deed can transfer whatever ownership interest the current owner has, but it does not “refinance” a loan or automatically move a mortgage…
Who can give a valid payoff and lien release if the collection agency says only the estate owes the debt but the closing attorney rejects their payoff? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, the party who can give a payoff that a closing attorney can rely on and who can sign a recordable…
What options keep my buyer in place while we resolve the lien, such as escrow or a holdback at closing? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, keeping a buyer in place while a lien issue gets resolved usually requires a written agreement that either (1) delays closing with clear deadlines or (2) closes…
Am I entitled to recover the money I paid if I can’t prove my interest in the property? – North Carolina Short Answer Possibly. In North Carolina, a claimed purchase of an interest in land usually must be proven with a written, signed agreement; if that cannot be proven, the ownership claim may fail under…
How can I ensure my title search covers all parcels of my property? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a title search only covers the land that the searcher is asked to examine and can easily miss an additional tract if the order, deed references, or parcel identifiers do not clearly list every…
How do I schedule separate signings for multiple parties and attorneys at closing? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, separate signings (sometimes called “split closings”) are usually workable if the closing attorney controls the signing plan, each signer’s identity and notarization requirements are met, and the attorney can still record the documents and…
Can a property sale move forward without all co-owners signing off in writing? – North Carolina Short Answer Usually, no. In North Carolina, a buyer cannot get full ownership of a co-owned property unless every co-owner signs the deed (or a court orders a sale through a partition case). One co-owner can transfer only that…
How do I protect my personal belongings from an appraiser or potential buyer’s agent during inspection? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a seller can protect personal belongings during an appraisal or buyer’s agent inspection by controlling access, limiting what areas are available to enter, and removing or locking up valuables before any…
Can I stop a fraudulent sale and force a partition of the property among all heirs? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes—under North Carolina law, heirs can usually stop a sale that depends on a fraudulent deed by filing a Superior Court case to clear title (often called a quiet title or “remove cloud” action)…
