Scam alert -- do not pay for a copy of your grant deed after you close escrow!

One of my recently closed buyer clients texted me this week asking about some mail he received. The mail looked pretty official and claimed for $83 the service would mail the new owner a copy of the newly recorded Grant Deed. It went on to list several reasons having a copy of the deed would be important...but there is a key issue with this letter -- it is a total scam.

New owners will receive a copy of the recorded Grant Deed directly from the Sacramento County Recorders Office within a month or so of closing at no added expense. Letters like these typically come within a week or so of closing, before the deed is received in the mail.

Buyers and new homeowners -- keep in mind that once you purchase a property, that record of ownership becomes public and your information will be purchased by 3rd parties. New homeowners receive all kinds of solicitations in the mail for things like life insurance, homeowners insurance, refinancing (already!), alarm installation, and other nonsense like this.

My client commented that this offer looked "very official." It does...but thankfully they were suspicious because they read the fine print that said "this offer has not been approved, or endorsed by any government agency." I warn my clients to be on the lookout for stuff like this and let them know they can always contact me with questions. Don't be fooled!

On another note, if one of my clients ever does need a copy of their grant deed and can't find their copy, I can easily obtain a replacement copy at no expense. Or you can request a copy from the Sacramento County Recorders Office by mail and pay a small fee ($13 for the first page, $2 for each additional page).