WATCH OUT FOR REAL ESTATE SCAMS ON VACANT PROPERTIES

A recent article in the OC Register reported a 5 year prison sentence for a man forging deeds on vacant properties and then renting them and collecting those rents.  The unfortunate part of this scenario is for the homeowner who may have moved out of a distressed property or simply moved and had not yet disposed of the existing property and now have to deal with tenant's rights, as well as a forged deed.  Fortunately, the ALTA Residential title policy protects against after close of escrow forgery.  Not all title companies issue this policy or do so automatically without Western Region Exceptions, but Fidelity National Title does.  Always check to make sure you receive this superior title policy when you are purchasing a home.