Real Estate: Is a mortgage in my name?

How to figure out if I have a mortgage in my name

Answer –  It would depend on what type of deed was recorded and/or whether a title policy was issued at closing. We would recommend the Full/Owner Property Lien Report which will reflect all recorded liens against the property and the previous owner.

Once you receive your report, please review the highlighted bankruptcy and judgment/lien sections. (if any) of the report (or all three sections in each report, if there are multiple reports) that may be relevant to the subject property. If the subject property was and/or will be purchased/sold conventionally or at auction, please verify all report information and ensure that all property and/or personal liens against the current owner and/or pre-foreclosure owners, if any, were discharged in bankruptcy, satisfied, extinguished in foreclosure or otherwise resolved to ensure clear title. Please note that (1) In some cases certain types of liens should be included in the opening minimum bid at the auction but are not and later form a title cloud; and (2) Quit-claim, Bargain and Sale and certain other types of deeds do not guarantee clear title to the new owner.

To determine if a mortgage is in your name, you can follow these steps:

1. Check Your Credit Report

Your credit report will list all the mortgages you are responsible for. You can obtain a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com. The mortgage loan, along with any other debt or financial obligations in your name, should be listed.

2. Review Your Financial Documents

If you have access to the original loan paperwork or any documentation from when the mortgage was taken out, it will clearly state whether the mortgage is in your name. This might include:

• Loan application forms
• Closing documents from when the mortgage was finalized
• Monthly mortgage statements
• Emails or letters from the lender

3. Contact the Mortgage Lender or Servicer

If you have an existing or suspected mortgage, you can contact the lender or loan servicer directly. They can verify whether you are listed on the mortgage and confirm details of the loan.

4. Search Public Records

Mortgages are typically recorded in county or municipal public records, and you can access these records by visiting the local office where property transactions are filed, often the county recorder’s office. Many counties now provide online access to property records, allowing you to search by name or address to see if there is a mortgage linked to your name.

5. Title Search

If you’re unsure whether the property in question has a mortgage, a title search conducted by a title company can reveal whether there is a lien or mortgage attached to your name.

6. Check Your Bank Statements

If you’re making mortgage payments, you can also check your bank account records for payments to a mortgage lender or servicer. This can confirm that you are responsible for the loan.

7. Talk to Your Real Estate Agent or Lawyer

If you’re still uncertain, you can ask a real estate agent or a lawyer to assist in finding out if a mortgage is linked to your name, especially if you’re dealing with a legal issue like potential foreclosure or estate planning.

By using these methods, you should be able to confirm if a mortgage is in your name.