Ask the Police to Perform a Retrospective Property Search
If the title document is missing and you believe that the seller may have stolen it, then you may want to ask the police to perform a retrospective property search.
This is a search that the police conduct after the fact to see if they can find a missing title document. The police may be able to track down the missing title document if they are able to identify the person who stole it.
They may also be able to find out where the seller is currently storing the document. The disadvantage of a retrospective property search is that the police will only be able to conduct the search after the fact.
They will not be able to prevent the seller from stealing the title document before you buy the property. Furthermore, the police may be unable to find the missing title document. They may be able to identify the person who stole the document, but they may not be able to find the document.
Check If Someone Made an Offer Before You
If the title document is missing and you suspect foul play, then you may want to check if someone made an offer to purchase the property before you.
This will help you determine if the seller had the opportunity to steal the title document before you put in your offer. You can check this information from the public records of the government agency that issues title documents.
The government agency will most likely keep a record of any offers to purchase the property. If you check the public records and notice that someone else made an offer before you, then you should report it to the relevant government agency.
You should also report this information to the seller’s real estate agent or the seller himself/herself. If the seller made a fraudulent offer before you and you report this information, then the government agency may void the fraudulent offer.
The government agency may also void the fraudulent offer if you report it and the seller fails to acknowledge it. This may prevent the seller from selling the property to the other person.
Hire a Lawyer to Conduct an Investigation
If the title document is missing and you suspect foul play, then you may want to hire a lawyer to conduct an investigation.
A lawyer can use various methods to try to track down the missing title document. The lawyer may be able to find out which government agency(s) currently have the title document in their possession.
He may also be able to find out who currently has possession of the title document.
If you hire a lawyer to conduct an investigation, you may want to set up a retainer agreement with the lawyer.
After all, it is the agent’s responsibility to know where all of the seller’s title documents are located. If you are dealing with the seller’s real estate agent, and he/she says that the title document is “in the office,” you should ask exactly where in the office it is located.
If the agent is unable to provide a specific location, then you should be highly suspicious. There is no reason why a real estate agent should not be able to tell you where a document is located.
You will want to set aside enough money in advance to cover any costs that the lawyer incurs while conducting the investigation.
You may also want to set up a payment schedule with the lawyer. This will allow you to pay the lawyer as he conducts the investigation.
This will prevent the investigation from becoming an overwhelming financial burden that you have to pay upfront. Any fees that the lawyer charges you will be worth it if the missing title document was stolen by the seller.
Conclusion:-
It is important that you carefully examine a home’s property documents before signing a purchase contract. If the title is missing, or if there are other issues with the title, you may want to walk away from the purchase.
There may be issues that you cannot see with the naked eye, such as a lien on the property. If the title is stolen, you may not be able to get a new title, which could be a deal breaker. With these tips, you should be able to locate the missing title document.
If the title is stolen, you should report it to the government agency that issued it. You should also report it to the seller’s real estate agent or the seller himself/herself.
Hopefully, the government agency will void the fraudulent offer and prevent the seller from selling the property to the other person.
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