Michigan Deed Logjam Will Cost You

The Detriot News reports:

A severe backlog at the Wayne County Register of Deeds office is helping make Detroit and Wayne County one of the nation's worst areas for mortgage and real estate fraud, experts say.

Deeds, mortgages and other real estate documents filed today at the Register of Deeds office in Greektown will not appear in the agency's computer system for two to six months, because the busy office is behind in recording such transactions.

The problem is compounded because Wayne County does not maintain an entry book -- a chronology of all real estate filings that is required by state law -- that can be used as a safeguard to check on transactions waiting to be entered into the computer.

Together, the backlog and lack of an entry book mean real estate buyers in Wayne County can't be sure they're getting clear legal ownership to the properties they purchase or that the properties don't come with hidden mortgages or other debts.

Rather amazing.A county just decides they will not obey the law.We have great sympathy for those who own property in Wayne county.What are you supposed to do when a monopoly doesn't comply with the law? Another reason not to own property in Wayne county.