Real estate scams have become a hot topic in our community! Business Wire revealed that one in 10 Americans were targeted in real estate fraud in 2023 alone . Even Lisa received a malicious phone call that could have seriously gone sideways if she was not careful ( and an expert in our field ). After our last newsletter’s article on real estate fraud, our readers asked us to dive deeper and we are going to explore the world of deed fraud in this edition. What Exactly Is Deed Fraud? Deed fraud, also known as “house stealing” or “property title theft,” occurs when someone illegitimately claims ownership of a property by using forged documents. This fraud is particularly common with Learn How to Guard Against Deed Fraud Before It Is Too Late IS YOUR PROPERTY SAFE?
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Evaluate Requests Carefully: If someone asks for signatures related to your property, scrutinize the documents thoroughly before complying.
properties that the owner does not regularly monitor.
Deed fraud can happen to anyone looking to purchase property. Just recently, Lisa received a call from a Florida number about listing a piece of land in Peoria. The caller, who apparently found Lisa through Zillow, immediately set off alarm bells with his vague responses and false identification and later turned out to be completely fake. Fortunately, Lisa spotted the red flags and verified his identity and signatures with our local title company. Then the actual owner was alerted. Steps to Shield Yourself From Deed Fraud Protecting yourself from deed fraud involves a few proactive steps:
If Fraud Strikes, Here Is What You Should Do If you find yourself a victim of deed fraud: 1. Report to Authorities: Contact your local police to start an official investigation. 2. Inform the County Recorder: This call will help prevent further fraudulent activity. 3. Seek Legal Counsel: A real estate attorney can guide you through correcting your property records. 4. Contact Your Title Insurance: If you have title insurance, the policy may cover legal fees for restoring your property rights. Need More Information? We take the security of your property very seriously. If you are looking for more detailed information on how to protect your real estate investments, please reach out. Email us at Lisa@DLJonesHomes.com , and we will ensure your real estate transactions are safe and sound. We will continue to share even more valuable information on fraud protection and real estate market insight in our upcoming newsletters. Be sure to check your mailbox and inbox! –Dennis and Lisa Jones
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Register for Alerts: Many counties offer services that alert property owners to any changes in their property records. This essential tool is helpful in early fraud detection. Maricopa residents can sign up at Recorder.Maricopa.gov/ recording/title-alert.html Regularly Check Your Property Records: Make a habit of reviewing your property’s records online to spot any unauthorized changes or claims. Safeguard Your Documents: Store all property-related documents securely and be cautious about sharing information regarding your property deeds.
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Walt Disney World Without the Wallet Woes
For years, a visit to Walt Disney World felt like an essential part of the American upbringing. There’s nothing quite like taking a picture with Mickey Mouse, the unique water smell in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, or the night-time fireworks spectacle over Cinderella Castle. However, the cost of a Disney vacation has increased significantly in recent years, and features that helped make the trip more magical, like free transportation to and from the airport, are a thing of the past. Many families struggle to save enough money to travel to Orlando to visit Disney World. Thankfully, cost-saving strategies can help get you and your loved ones in front of the castle. Have a plan for snacks and meals before arriving at the park. Disney parks are well-known for their world-class restaurants and food options, but with good quality comes a higher cost. A soft pretzel shaped like Mickey Mouse with cheese sauce costs more than $8; buying more than one adds up quickly. Disney allows you to bring your own snacks and nonalcoholic beverages into the park, so consider taking advantage of that. Make a budget, research
the restaurants beforehand, and have everyone pick out what they want to eat so you know exactly how much food will cost. Avoid Disney hotels.
Disney’s hotels have different price tiers. Deluxe resorts like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge usually cost around $500 a night. Moderate- tier resorts like Disney’s Coronado Springs can run anywhere from $250–$500, depending on the season. And the value resorts usually stay under $250 a night. However, if you were to stay at a non-Disney hotel, you’d pay a fraction of the price while still being close to the parks. Consider hiring a travel agent. This might sound counterproductive if you’re trying to save money, but Disney works closely with various travel agencies to help park-goers cut costs and reduce stress. They will help plan every aspect of your trip and ensure you get all meal reservations and Lightning Lanes your family wants. They’re also the first to know when discounts go live, so they can ensure you get resort and ticket prices at the best value.
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
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