What should I do if one co-owner won’t sign the purchase agreement? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you cannot buy 100% of a property unless every record owner (or a fiduciary with legal authority) signs the deed. A contract signed by only some co-owners binds only those signers to convey their shares,…
How can I transfer property still titled in my grandparent’s name when no probate was filed? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, title to real estate generally passes at death to the heirs (if no will) or to the devisees (if there is a will that is probated). If there is a will,…
What steps do I need to retitle inherited property into my relative’s name? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, title to real estate passes at death to the heirs (if no will) or to the devisees (if there is a will, once it is probated). Decades later, you typically either: (1) probate the…
How do I handle a seller who directs all communication to their lawyer? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, once a seller says they are represented, route deal-related communications through the seller’s attorney. That approach respects legal boundaries and keeps negotiations organized. Get your own attorney involved to clarify the “garage” issue in…
How do I get a written payoff statement from my lender to review before closing? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you (or your closing attorney/settlement agent) can request a written payoff statement from your mortgage servicer, and it should be provided within a reasonable time. Federal mortgage rules generally require servicers to…
What notice are lenders required to give for appraisal appointments in North Carolina? Short Answer North Carolina law does not set a specific minimum amount of notice a lender must give before an appraisal appointment. Appraisers need permission to access the property, and scheduling is typically coordinated with the owner, occupant, or agent on reasonable…
How can I challenge an appraisal that seemed incomplete and biased against my interests? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, you challenge a questionable appraisal by promptly asking your lender for a Reconsideration of Value (ROV) and supplying concrete corrections (bad measurements, omitted comparable sales, condition errors) and supporting documents. If bias or…
Can I require my realtor to provide timely and transparent communication before closing? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, your real estate broker works under a written agency agreement that can and should require prompt, clear communication and disclosure of material information. State rules also require brokers to keep clients reasonably informed,…
How do I confirm that no one else, like a sibling, has conveyed any part of our inherited property? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, start by searching the county Register of Deeds for any deeds, deeds of trust, or liens recorded after the decedent’s death in the heirs’ names. Also check the…
Can I use a mechanics lien or storage lien to clear title issues for a home or vehicle left on estate property? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a mechanics lien or storage/garageman’s lien is not a general tool an estate can use to clear title to a home or vehicle. Mechanics liens…
