It’s October — the season for ghosts, ghouls, and real estate horror stories. In this chilling tale, everything was done by the book. The seller followed all the right steps, had legal guidance, and carefully protected her rights. But despite doing everything right, she nearly lost her home… on paper.
A Clean Deal — or So It Seemed
A client of ours was selling a large tract of land that surrounded her home. With the help of her attorney and a surveyor, she executed the deal the right way. The land she was selling was labeled as “Tract A,” and her home — sitting in the middle — was carved out and recorded as “A1.”
To ensure she could access her home, we even recorded an easement. The deed was clear, the survey was recorded, and everything went smoothly — or so we thought.
The County Mapping Mix-Up
Months later, in the fall, the client went to check on her property taxes. What she discovered shocked her. According to the county, she no longer owned her house.
What happened? When the Register of Deeds recorded the documents, everything was in order. But the mapping department — which determines property ownership for tax purposes — read the legal description and mistakenly assumed the client had conveyed the entire property, including her home.
They didn’t recognize that A1, the parcel with her home, was excluded from the sale. As far as their system showed, she had sold everything. Her house, on paper, wasn’t hers anymore.
Quick Action, Big Relief
Fortunately, we were able to act quickly. Once we contacted the mapping department and provided the correct documentation, they acknowledged the mistake and corrected the records. But for a few tense days, our client believed she had lost her own home — despite doing everything right.
The Lesson: Double-Check Everything After a Property Sale
Even when your paperwork is perfect and your deal is done correctly, errors can still occur. Different departments — like the Register of Deeds and the tax assessor’s mapping office — all interpret and handle property records differently.
That’s why it’s essential to follow up after a transaction. Make sure the county understands the legal descriptions. Confirm what is shown in the tax records. Don’t wait until tax season to find out there’s a problem.
Worried About Your Deed or Property Records?
If you’ve sold property, or are planning to, and want to be sure your home is safe and secure in the county’s eyes, we can help. Don’t let a clerical error turn into a nightmare.