Procedures

Outstanding mortgages

Open mortgages of record are one of the most prevalent problems raised by the title examination. The following are questions which should be asked, and clearance measures undertaken before calling your title insurance underwriter:

1. Still in business?

Is the lender or last assignee of record still in business?

  • Call or access the website of the Secretary of State of the state of incorporation.
  • Check the Kay Directory. (Both "a" and "b" can provide names of officers, agents for service or payoff departments.)
  • Access the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council at ffiec.gov. Records can show successor by merger corporations.

2. Owner's title insurance policy

Inquire if the seller/borrower is insured by an owner's title insurance policy.

3. Who closed?

Inquire as to who closed the last transaction. If the owner doesn't recall and no settlement statement is available, does the loan deed reflect who was to receive the deed after recording?

  • Do you recognize the names of the witness and/or notary public?

4. How old?

How old is the loan deed in question?

  • Has twenty (20) years passed since the maturity due date set out in the mortgage or, if none, twenty (20) years from the date of execution?

5. Affidavit of cancellation

If the lender is out of business but you locate the attorney who closed the transaction, which should have addressed the loan deed, and in fact did pay it off, you should obtain an "Attorney Lien Satisfaction Affidavit" from the attorney with supporting documentation as proved in 29-3-330 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina.

Attorney's Affidavit for Satisfaction of Mortgage

6. Mortgagee is person?

If the lender of record is an individual, have you checked the phone book, probate records or Internet locator?

7. Proof of payment

What proof of payment does the borrower have to substantiate the assertion that the loan has been paid (e.g., cancelled checks, transmittal letters, paid not or even the original canceled loan deed, as most borrowers do not know how to record canceled, satisfied or released documentation)? Usually this applies when the lender was an individual.

What now?

Depending on the information gathered by these suggestions, or if none is obtained, then call your underwriter. There may be other measures, which if taken, might allow the closing to occur. It might require a policy exception followed by affirmative assurances or a willingness to insure without exception if adequate indemnities are obtained.

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