Protecting what you own starts with knowing what's happening.
Whether you own a home, an investment property, a vacation home, or a piece of land in Arizona, there are two free services we believe you should know about.
The Arizona Department of Real Estate recently introduced new guidance regarding deed fraud prevention and its Early Real Estate Sales Alert System (ERAS).
While deed fraud isn't something most property owners deal with every day, it's worth understanding what it is and what resources are available.
The good news? There are simple steps you can take to stay informed about activity involving your real estate.
And you don't have to be buying or selling anything to get started.
What Is Deed Fraud?
Deed fraud happens when someone attempts to transfer ownership of a property or record documents against it without the actual owner's permission.
It's something property owners should be aware of, but it's not a reason to panic.
Arizona offers free notification services that can provide another layer of awareness.
Our recommendation is simple: Take a few minutes and register for both.
1. Arizona's Early Real Estate Sales Alert System (ERAS)
The Arizona Department of Real Estate offers a free service called the Early Real Estate Sales Alert System.
Here's how it works.
You register your property information online.
If an escrow officer submits pending sale information that matches your registered property details, the system can notify you.
That gives you an opportunity to review the information and take action if something doesn't look right.
How to Register
Visit the official ERAS website.
Enter your contact information.
Provide the address, Assessor's Parcel Number (APN), or ownership information you want monitored.
Complete the registration process.
Keep your contact information updated so you don't miss notifications.
Own multiple properties? Consider registering each property you want monitored.
Register for free:
2. Your County Recorder's Property Alerts
There's another free service worth knowing about.
Many Arizona counties offer notification programs that alert you when certain documents are recorded.
For example, the Maricopa County Recorder offers a free service called Maricopa Title Alert.
This program allows you to monitor individual or business names and receive notifications when documents are recorded under those names.
It's another opportunity to stay informed about activity that could affect your real estate.
How to Register in Maricopa County
Visit the Maricopa County Recorder's Title Alert website.
Sign up for the free service.
Enter the individual or business names you want to monitor.
Choose your notification preferences.
Review any alerts you receive.
If your property is located in another Arizona county, check with that county's Recorder's Office for available notification services.
Register for free:
https://recorder.maricopa.gov/recording/title-alert.html
Why Register for Both?
Because they provide different types of notifications.
Arizona's ERAS system is designed to alert registered property owners when matching pending sale information is submitted through the system.
County Recorder alerts notify registered users when documents are recorded under the names they're monitoring.
One focuses on certain pending sales. The other focuses on recorded documents.
Neither guarantees protection against fraud or monitors every possible situation, but together they offer additional ways to stay informed.
What Should You Do if You Receive an Alert?
First, review it.
An alert doesn't automatically mean something is wrong.
It may involve legitimate activity or someone with a similar name.
However, if you see something you don't recognize, verify the information through the appropriate government office.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact the appropriate authorities and consider speaking with a qualified real estate attorney.
The important thing is having an opportunity to identify and investigate unusual activity.
Our Recommendation? Take a Few Minutes and Register.
You don't need to be buying a home.
You don't need to be planning a sale.
And you don't need to be worried about something happening to your property.
These are simply free resources available to Arizona property owners.
Take a few minutes, register for both services, and make sure your contact information stays current.
And once you've registered, share this information with your family and friends.
Whether someone owns their first home, several investment properties, or a property they've held for decades, this information is worth passing along.
At BUYAZRE, we believe having the right information helps people make better real estate decisions.
Sometimes that means exploring your options when buying, selling, investing, or renting.
Other times, it means sharing resources that help you take care of the property you already own.
That's what being a real estate resource is all about.
