Watch out for termites... and

Watch out for termites... and title fraud? According to this helpful (and exhaustive) checklist from the Cooperative Extension Service at North Carolina State University, homeowners should do a thorough inspection every six months for clogged gutters and downspouts, shrubs growing too close to the foundation, and cracks, termites and other damage to the foundation and support beams.

The checklist goes on for six pages, but does not include the following advice from TitleSearch.com: every two years, research your title to uncover attempts by scam artists to undermine your rights to your property.

A press release from the company today claims "title search is the new credit report." They say your local county clerk will accept a lien, mortgage, or transfer deed for your home from anybody -- without checking to see if the the documents are valid or accurate. "It is easier to steal your house by using a fake deed, than it is to steal your credit card number," the company claims.

Although willing to concede that that running a title search every year, "might be overkill," TitleSearch.com recommends verifying the accuracy of your title information every two years -- and anytime you refinance, or there's a divorce or death in the family. The company, of course, provides this service -- for $159.95.

The FAQ at TitleSearch.com notes that "anyone can visit the records office, and retrieve the data and documents needed to create a title search. In most cases, the only cost is that of copying fees." But the process can be "time consuming and tricky," the company warns -- so just send us your money. Photo courtesy of UDSA Termite Image Library.
--Matt Carter, Inman News

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