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Where to see loan on a property

MamaMama
edited July 2008 in Seattle Real Estate
I've seen people on here post what type of loan a given house was bought with. Where can one find such info?

We're interested in making a low offer on a house that was bought in June '07. The seller is already going a few grand under their purchase price but I'm curious how low they can go (it's not a short sale...)

thanks

Comments

  • mukohmukoh
    For King County, go to http://www.metrokc.gov/recorded documents/ and pull up their last deed/note to see actual amounts. Other counties have recorders offices online as well to get such information.
  • perfectfireperfectfire
    I asked this a while ago and the answer, if I remember correctly, is you need to do a title search which costs money.
  • mukohmukoh
    You do not need to pay money. Pull up public records in the county associated with the property. Loan amounts are shown including the note whether it is an ARM or those values are shown in the documents as well.
  • perfectfireperfectfire
    Where is that? I've pulled up documents on the county website dozens of times and never does it give the terms of the mortgage.
  • bilirubenbiliruben
    I don't think this is true any longer. They pulled the deeds of trust, supposedly due to SS# being on some of the much older ones. You have to go in person.
  • MrRationalMrRational
    perfectfire wrote:
    Where is that? I've pulled up documents on the county website dozens of times and never does it give the terms of the mortgage.

    You can't see mortgage details or amounts via the King County website out of privacy concerns. It used to be that you could but in the past several years they have put an end to it (although you can still get that info online for Snohomish county).

    That said, you do have two options other than a title search. You can go down to the admin building in downtown seattle where they have about 10 public computers and you can take your time looking over the deed in detail. The other option is to call the Recorder's office and they can give you the info over the phone or mail it to you. Last time I called they were able to tell me the original balance but they weren't able to give me specific details (mainly because I think they were too lazy to go through the document themselves).
  • Rhonda PRhonda P
    Title companies may charge a fee for doing the research (not totally sure). Biliruben is correct that DOT's were removed from public record in King County because many of them had SS#s on them (a practice that happened more in the 80s and 90s) and/or driver's license info from Notary Publics trying to CYA.

    Going to the County is probably your best bet.
  • UbersaladUbersalad
    Deed search was removed in 2006 or so, and although they said it has to do with privacy, it's pure BS. Truth was that it had to do with all you people trying to get in others' business.
  • jillaynejillayne
    Call any title insurance company that resides in the county where the property is located.

    Firstam King County: 206-728-0400. That's the only number I know by heart. Wait, here's another. CTI Snohomish: 425-258-3683. Better, here are some websites with all the phone numbers. I can recall these easier.

    http://www.firstam.com/title-wa/king

    http://gostewart.com/

    http://www.cticnw.com

    http://www.pnwt.com

    http://onenorthpoint.com/

    http://talonnw.com/

    Ask for their "customer service" department.

    Give them your name and fax number and tell them you are a home buyer. If you're working with a Realtor or new mortgage lender, give them those names.

    Give them the full property address. If you have the legal description OR tax ID number, even better.

    Ask for a copy of any deed of trust that's showing to be of record against that address.

    If you have the seller/owner's name, give that to them as well.

    Ask for the full copy of the deed of trust to be faxed to you and give them a reasonable time frame like, "by noon" or "by the end of the business day."

    They may have to charge you for this. I am not sure. If so, the charge will be nominal.

    Customer service departments rarely get calls directly from consumers. They may ask who referred you. It's okay to tell them that I told you to call: Jillayne Schlicke. They may or may not have heard of me, but it might open some doors for you.

    Be kind to them. They're often underpaid and over worked. A kind voice will get you far because they're use to being yelled at by Realtors :)
  • MamaMama
    Jillayne, and everyone else, thanks so much for the tips. I have a good friend who works for a title insurance company, I just never knew they are the ones to know/provide this info.

    thanks again.
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