Recently, The Kolb Team along with 2 other real estate teams who work in Sun Lakes hosted an event for Sun Lakes residents and the subject was deed fraud. The speaker was Alysia Moore from Fidelity National Title. For those of you sitting at home watching Fox News or CNN, seeing the LifeLock or Home Title Lock commercials and think that is the answer, you would be wrong. There is really no way of completely protecting your home from deed theft/fraud, but there are some things you should know to help prevent it.
What is Deed Fraud?
Deed fraud is the forging of the deed to a home by a fraudster who illegally transfers ownership of the home into their name and claim they hold title to it. The property can then be sold, and cash transferred before the new buyer even realizes the scam; or, even worse, they then also take loans out against the property. A lot of these scammers operate from other countries and often have notaries who are in on the scheme.
Deed Fraud Targets:
- Absentee owners
- Foreign owners
- Investment-owned properties
- Rental properties
- Homes owned under a recently deceased party’s name
- Vacant land
Red Flags:
- Wanting a quick close, with a price below market value
- Property is unencumbered (free & clear) and often raw land or vacant
- Seeking a cash buyer
- Refusing to attend the signing and claiming to be out of the state or country
- Difficulty reaching the individual via phone and only wants to communicate by text or email, or refuses to meet via video call
- Refusing or is unable to complete a muti-factor authentication or identity verification
- Insisting upon using their own notary
There is currently no effective way to protect your property from deed fraud. Most of the services out there are only monitoring title activity, and often by that time, it is too late. Here in Arizona, there are websites where you can sign up to get recording alerts when there is recording activity on your property.
Maricopa County: https://recorder.maricopa.gov/maricopatitlealert/
Pinal County: https://acclaim.pinalcountyaz.gov/PublicRecordsNotificationWeb
This was a very well-attended event and we plan on doing a follow-up event in the fall in a bigger venue. We likely will bring in a real estate attorney as well to talk about what victims can do.
The Kolb Team
Deed
A housing deed is the legal document transferring a title from the seller to the buyer. It must be a written document and is sometimes referred to as the vehicle of the property interest transfer.
Pet of the Month
Congratulations to our May Pet of the Month. The very regal Ruger!
If you would like your pet to be featured in our Pet of The Month and win a Chewy gift card for your sweet family member, send a picture of your baby to info@thekolbteam.com and tell us why your fuzzy, furry, feathery, or leathery pet makes you happy! We look forward to seeing all of your awesome pet pics!
Ingredients:
- 1 c pumpkin
- 2 eggs
- ½ c peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- ¼ c vegetable oil
- 2 ½ c whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
Directions:
Woodhouse
Rushmore
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix the pumpkin, peanut butter, oil, and eggs together until combined.
- Slowly add the baking soda and flour to the bowl and stir.
- Once the dough starts to become stiff, knead it out, and roll with a rolling pin out flat.
- Using the cookie cutter of your choice, cut the dough into shapes or just into circles (the top of a cup or glass works well).
- Place into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Once cooled, store in an airtight container in the fridge and give to your fluffy friend whenever they deserve – or demand – a tasty treat.
Searching for That Perfect Home?
When looking at pictures online, it can be tricky to figure out the layout of a home. We can help you with that! On our website, you can access the most popular floor plans in Sun Lakes, AZ. Just click the button below!
Test Your Knowledge About The Original Top Gun Blockbuster
In May 1986, a Cold War blockbuster film debuted. It was a cultural phenomenon, and spurred enlistment in the Navy to new heights. Let’s see how much you know about the original “Top Gun” (including its connection to Arizona)!
Q: The film “Top Gun” won an Oscar in 1987 for best original song. What was the name of the song?
Q: The fighter jets were rough on the actors. Who is the only actor who was able to make it through without becoming sick?
Q: The US Navy set up recruiting booths in major cinemas to try to capitalize on the excitement and adrenaline men felt after seeing “Top Gun”. True or false?
Q: Kenny Loggins recorded “Danger Zone” for the film. Who were the other 2 bands considered?
Q: One of the producers of “Top Gun” found even more fame as a producer of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. What is his name?
Q: Another Tom Cruise film, “The Color of Money” was the highest grossing film of 1986 – true or false?
Q: What band was asked to have the song “Reckless” in the “Top Gun” soundtrack, but opted instead to have their cover version of “Johnny Be Good” in a 1988 movie of the same name?
Q: The flight suit Tom Cruise wore in “Top Gun” was put on display in what restaurant?
Q: What Arizona desert is the filming location of a scene in “Top Gun”?
Q: What singer did not give permission for his song “Only the Strong Survive” to be on the “Top Gun” soundtrack because he felt the film glorified war?
Scroll Down to See the Answers
Vendor of the Month:
Where most home improvements wear out or go “out of style”, an Armor Kote Garage Floor will maintain its value and remain in style! You’ll enjoy your Armor Kote Garage Floor while you live in the house, and if/when you sell your home, your garage will look great and add value to your home. The company offers free in-home estimates, repairs and stem walls included at no charge, payment on the day of installation, the best garage floors on the market today, and a lifetime warranty against peeling and/or delaminating. They are proud to have earned a 5-star rating on Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau! Call 602-501-2888 or visit https://www.envymygarage.com to learn more.
- Buyer looking for golf course home with a pool in Oakwood.
- Buyer looking for a home in Sun Lakes CC under $350,000. Ok to do some remodeling.
- Buyer looking for a home in Oakwood with 2 bedrooms plus a den. Wants remodeled and close to the clubhouse. Would prefer a formal dining area.
Recent Real Estate Sales in Sun Lakes
Wondering about your Neighbor’s Home Sales Price? Find out here to see what sold last month. The report is broken down by HOA, address, and floor plan (if the agent listed the model in MLS).
Top Gun – Answers
Q: The film “Top Gun” won an Oscar in 1987 for best original song. What was the name of the song?
A: “Take My Breath Away”
Q: The fighter jets were rough on the actors. Who is the only actor who was able to make it through without becoming sick?
A: Anthony Edwards is the only actor who didn't vomit while in the fighter jets.
Q: The US Navy set up recruiting booths in major cinemas to try to capitalize on the excitement and adrenaline men felt after seeing “Top Gun”. True or false?
A: True! In fact, the Navy had its highest application rates that year and for years to follow as a result of the film.
Q: Kenny Loggins recorded “Danger Zone” for the film. Who were the other 2 bands considered?
A: Toto and REO Speedwagon.
Q: One of the producers of “Top Gun” found even more fame as a producer of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. What is his name?
A: Jerry Bruckheimer
Q: Another Tom Cruise film, “The Color of Money” was the highest grossing film of 1986 – true or false?
A: False. “Top Gun” was the highest grossing film of 1986, taking in $177M in just the United States; $356M worldwide.
Q: What band was asked to have the song “Reckless” in the “Top Gun” soundtrack, but opted instead to have their cover version of “Johnny Be Good” in a 1988 movie of the same name?
A: Judas Priest
Q: The flight suit Tom Cruise wore in “Top Gun” was put on display in what restaurant?
A: Planet Hollywood
Q: What Arizona desert is the filming location of a scene in “Top Gun”?
A: The Yuma Desert
Q: What singer did not give permission for his song “Only the Strong Survive” to be on the “Top Gun” soundtrack because he felt the film glorified war?
A: Bryan Adams
We Are Proud Supporters of Neighbors Who Care!
Neighbors Who Care strives to improve seniors' lives by promoting independence, dignity, and community. Their committed volunteers enable seniors to live fulfilling lives in their homes for as long as possible, ensuring that they remain active and independent members of the community. Their efforts have resulted in a significant increase in seniors' ability to stay at home, with an average of five times longer than before. Their volunteers help homebound seniors in a 32-square mile service area maintain independence through providing 13 different services such as grocery shopping FOR clients; taking clients so they can shop for themselves; rides to medical appointments; free respite care for caregiver partners; small home repairs; friendly visits; dinner delivery five days a week; and more.
Support for Neighbors Who Care is sourced mostly from individual donations from the community. They also have sponsors for their newsletter The Care Connection, their aging conference Aging Made Easier each January, and also for their Summer Speaker Series, and they receive grants, too. Recruiting volunteers is, by far, their greatest need all year round. Neighbors Who Care makes it very easy to volunteer by offering flexibility and options so each person can choose how often they volunteer, when they volunteer, and what activity they want to do to volunteer. Consider joining our volunteer corps and meet some of the nicest people around who also are among the most appreciative people we know.
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Get Insider Information
We live, work, play, and volunteer in Sun Lakes and we know the ins and outs of this community.
As always, if you or someone you know is considering buying or selling a home,
we are here year-round and would love to help! Visit us online at
TheKolbTeam.com or call 480-809-5759.
