Who needs title insurance anyway?!

This is not in Maryland, but I love stories like this because they can -- and do -- happen anywhere. Why do you want title insurance? Here's why:

The property was twice mowed by the city while the house was empty, and the assessment was filed against the absentee property owner.The house was later foreclosed on by the bank and transferred to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD, in turn, sold the house to a Rowlett man named Andy Grubbs, who fixed it up and resold it to Mrs. Gutierrez and her late husband.

Mr. Grubbs admits he did not have a title search made when he purchased the home from HUD, instead relying on the agency’s stated policy of not selling properties unless the titles are “clean” of any liens.

Dude, like, you trust the Gubmint? And you live in Texas?!

The lien, assessed in 1988 for city mowing charges totaling $272.95, has ballooned with interest and penalties to more than $2,000. In 2005, the city began notifying Mrs. Gutierrez that unless the full amount was paid, her home could be subject to foreclosure.

But here's the money quote:

“Title insurance, ever heard of it?” one cranky reader sarcastically asked.

Gotta read the whole thing. Don't worry, it's not long.

Garland woman won't lose home over 20-year-old lien | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Columnist Jacquielynn Floyd | Dallas-Fort Worth News

Cass

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