Transfer of Ownership – After Selling Your Home, Recording the Deed

Congratulations on the successful sale of your Yakima home! You’ve navigated the Yakima real estate market and closed the deal. Now, it’s time to ensure the final step of the process is completed smoothly – recording the deed to transfer ownership to the new homeowner. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the importance of recording the deed and the steps involved.

Why Recording the Deed Matters

Recording the deed is a vital legal step in the home-selling process. It serves several essential purposes:

• Public Record: Recording the deed makes the sale of your home a matter of public record, providing legal documentation of the property’s change of ownership.
• Ownership Confirmation: It confirms that the new homeowner is the legal owner of the property, protecting their rights and interests.
• Property History: Recording creates a historical record of property transactions, which can be useful for future reference or resale.

The Deed Recording Process

Here are the steps involved in recording the deed:

1. Prepare the Deed: The first step is to prepare the deed, which is typically done by a real estate attorney or title company. The deed includes details about the property, the buyer, and the seller.
2. Notarize the Deed: The deed must be notarized to verify the identities of the parties involved and their willingness to sign the document.
3. Submit to the County Clerk: Take the notarized deed to the county clerk’s office in the county where the property is located. You may need to pay a recording fee.
4. Review and Record: The county clerk will review the deed to ensure it meets all legal requirements. Once approved, the deed is recorded in the public records.
5. Receive Stamped Copy: After recording, you will receive a stamped copy of the recorded deed as proof of the transaction’s completion.

Final Steps

After recording the deed, it’s important to:

• Provide a Copy to the Buyer: Furnish a copy of the recorded deed to the new homeowner as evidence of their ownership.
• Keep Records: Keep a copy of the recorded deed for your records, as it may be needed for tax purposes or future transactions.

Conclusion

Recording the deed is a critical step in finalizing the sale of your home in Yakima. It protects the rights of both parties and ensures the property’s legal ownership is accurately documented. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can complete the transfer of ownership smoothly and confidently.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the deed recording process, don’t hesitate to consult with a qualified real estate professional or attorney. Congratulations again on your successful Yakima real estate transaction!