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Buyer Beware - Homeowner Beware - Deed Retrieval Service Mislead Many Homeowners

Buyer Beware - Homeowner Beware - Deed Retrieval Service Mislead Many Homeowners

Last week I received an email from my client who recently purchased her Lakeland FL home inquiring about her Deed.  She wrote the following:

Petra,
 
I have a question for you.  I'm wondering about how long it takes to receive the deed for the house, and where it will come from.  Last week I received something in the mail that seemed suspicious to me.  It says it's from the "State Record Retrieval Board" and is from California.  It says to receive a copy of my own deed I need to send them $87.  This just doesn't seem normal to me, so I thought I'd ask you. 
 
Thanks,
Sandy
I'm glad she asked. There are homeowners who may think that is letter was sent by a government agency and quite honestly I thought the same thing when I glanced at this letter first.  

I responded to Sandy, that this seems very suspicious and it was not necessary to send them any money because she had already paid ($10.00) to Polk County FL for the recording of the deed when she closed on the house. 

While this letter does state at the bottom - "This is not a bill.  This is a solicitation" - it is truly misleading to many new homeowners and it is borderline scam.  

Homeowners! If you happen to receive such a letter, do not pay $87.00.  You can obtain a copy of the recorded deed by going to the Clerk of Courts office and pay as little as $10.00.  

My client was kind enough to send me the letter and I have included this letter so you can see what it looks like. 
 

 

Deed Solicitation

 

Petra Norris - REALTOR®, SFR
Managing Broker - CDV TransAtlantic, Inc.
 
CDV TransAtlantic Inc
(863) 619-6918
 
8 comments • Petra Norris - Lakeland Florida Realtor® Lakeland FL Homes for Sale • July 13 2010 04:12PM