How does buying a house that’s in foreclosure work from start to finish? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, most foreclosure purchases happen through a public sale run by a trustee (or the lender) and then a required 10-day upset-bid period where someone else can outbid the last bidder. The sale is not…
Can I confirm whether a property was properly transferred to me before the relative passed away? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, the most practical way to confirm whether a property was transferred before a relative’s death is to review the recorded land records in the county where the property is located…
Can I still sell the house if there are unpaid property taxes, and how are they handled at closing? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, a home can usually still be sold even if property taxes are delinquent, but the delinquent taxes (plus interest, penalties, and costs) typically must be paid out…
Do I need a new deed recorded after a parent dies if I’m the sole heir and administrator? – North Carolina Short Answer Often, yes—at least for practical title and lending purposes. In North Carolina, a death and an open estate do not automatically create a new recorded deed in the heir’s name, even if…
What steps are required to make sure the deed transfer is properly recorded in the state where the land is located? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a deed transfer is properly recorded when (1) the deed is correctly drafted with the right legal description and parties, (2) the grantor signs it and…
Can I take steps to make sure the property is listed and sold in a fair way if I don’t trust the other party to handle it? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. In North Carolina, a court-supervised partition sale can be structured so the listing, marketing, and sale are handled by a court-appointed commissioner…
Can I disclaim my interest in a property if there is a mortgage or other lien on it? – North Carolina Short Answer Yes. Under North Carolina law, a person can generally disclaim (renounce) an interest in real property even if the property is subject to a mortgage or other lien. Disclaiming does not erase…
How do we split the proceeds from a house sale when there’s a written loan agreement tied to the property? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, co-owners usually split net sale proceeds based on the ownership shares shown in the deed, but the closing statement can also reflect valid liens and court-ordered credits.…
What happens if my property taxes aren’t paid and I don’t sell the house in time? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, unpaid property taxes become a lien on the home, and the county (and other taxing units) can enforce that lien. If the taxes stay delinquent long enough, the taxing unit can…
What kind of deed should be used to transfer land from a parent to an adult child? – North Carolina Short Answer In North Carolina, a parent can usually transfer land to an adult child using either a general warranty deed (most protection to the child) or a quitclaim deed (least protection). The “right” deed…
