Multiple People On Title

What to do when there are multiple people on the title of a property, and they don’t live together or even worse, don't talk to each other.

Process

  1. General practice, when you are sending a contract look up the property on your county assessor website to ensure the person you have been talking to is the only person on title.

  2. If you see multiple people on title call back seller to verify who each person is

  3. If the seller knows each person, work to do 2 things:

    1. Get everyone together to sign/discuss at the same time
    2. Get everyone's own individual email address and phone number so you can have separate conversations if needed.

  4. If seller says red flag things like “O I haven't seen so and so in years” or “Mom didn't want them to have the home”

    Then prepare for some work :)

    1. First choice option is to get the PSA signed with the seller you are talking to though, take their word for the situation, and get the deal into escrow
      1. The goal is that hopefully Escrow will do the dirty work for you.
    2. Early in the transaction, let escrow know about the situation with the multiple people on title and seek their help to find the other individuals.
    3. HOPEFULLY, Escrow can find the other people. If so, ideally have them facilitate getting documents signed or else take it yourself.
    4. If seller is unable to find other people on title, places to check include:
      1. Google
      2. Social Media
      3. Propstream (related properties)
      4. Court Record/Arrest Records
      5. Neighbors of the property
    5. Reach out to these people directly and explain the situation. Unfortunately you now have to sell them on the transaction as well.
    6. If the individual is unwilling to work with you, discuss with escrow steps that can be taken to get the person off title, and prepare for a long and challenging closing.