Why the San Diego County Recorder’s Office Matters to You: Potential issues to Be Aware Of

The Recorders Office in San Diego County plays a critical role for new home owners - the recording of the documents, including the deed, that signal the home you are buying is now yours...the official Close of Escrow. The recording of documents is also essential for folks who are refinancing.

Once escrow verifies that all the required documents are in place, and title notifies them that the loan had been funded by your new lender and the monies received, escrow will authorize the recording. Often this happens on the same day - the lender wires the money in the morning and later that day the deed is recorded.

But this will change on July 1, 2009.

And it can create some problems if you are not prepared.

In the past the San Diego County Recorder would allow recordings later in the day called special recordings. Thus even on the final day of the expected escrow period a buyer could fund, record and receive the keys to the house. As of July 1 that process will change, with two exceptions.

As of July 1, 2009 the San Diego Recorder will now only allow recordings at 8 AM. Which means the monies for your loan must be wired, received, and verified the previous day. Thus it is even more important that your loan documents be signed by you and received by escrow in a timely manner, so they can be reviewed and forwarded to your lender for their own review (some lenders REQUIRE a 24-hour review period before they will authorize funding). One would assume, then, that if the funds are not received the day before the scheduled Close of Escrow day, there will be a delay in recording AND your ability to get into your new home (unless the seller gives approval once funding has occurred and before the actual recording).

EXCEPTIONS: The San Diego Recorder WILL allow SPECIAL recordings (at 2 pm) for both resales and refinances on:

• The last day of the month (during the week)
• On the Friday before a 3-day weekend

Visit the San Diego Recorders site for more information about the recording process, which also covers any other official documents that must be recorded.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits