Board of Realtors receives news on county recorder's website; HUD program

Highland County Recorder Chad McConnaughey was the guest speaker at the Thursday, Oct. 24 meeting of the Highland County Board of Realtors.

McConnaughey updated local Realtors on the recorder's office's new website and advised that their Internet provider has been switched from Land Access to U.S. Land Records.

During his presentation, McConnaughey walked Realtors through the changes with the new system, noting that the office has now scanned records back to 1995.

McConnaughey said the goal is to have all records from 1987 to the present time online.

"If you need a deed and can't find it online, we need the current land owner's name or the volume and page number reference," McConnaughey said, "and I can fax the deed to you. If you're unsure, you can get these from the tax map office. Also, there is a cross-reference with the county auditor's website."

While the current county recorder's website is free for all users, McConnaughey said that the state recorder's association has had discussions of implementing a one-time service charge.

McConnaughey advised that Ohio Auditor Dave Yost believes that as a public record, this information should be available at no charge. However, with increasing costs for the service, it is possible that sometime in the future, county recorder's offices will add a one-time user fee.

* * *

• Steve Elliott of First Advantage Realty and Auction updated the board on HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) training and the "buyer select closing program."

Elliott emphasized that with some of the new changes in federal mandates, once a bid is accepted and sent to contract, there is a 48-hour window to return the paperwork to HUD, and it must be the original document.

On Jan. 22, 2013, HUD launched a "buyer select" closing agent pilot program for HUD-owned properties. All buyers whose contracts are executed in a buyer select area will have the opportunity to select their own settlement company.

The selling agent will be required to complete an addendum providing the name and contact information of the selected settlement company. This addendum must be submitted with the sales contract package at the time of bid acceptance.

Buyers will still have the option of using the previously contracted closing agents; however, HUD will no longer pay the settlement fee.

For more on the buyer select program, contact the FHA Resource Center 1-800-CALL-FHA (1-800-225-5342) or visit http://www.hudhomestore.com/Home/Index.aspx.

* * *

• Jennifer Waterman, resident sales manager of Highland House Assisted Living on Harry Sauner Road, asked Realtors to keep Highland House in mind for those families' consideration at the time of home and property sales. Waterman suggested that Realtors' references would be appreciated and that Highland House would reciprocate with referrals when appropriate.

* * *

• Former Highland County Board of Realtors president Robyn Coomer discussed the vacant building ordinance within the city of Hillsboro. Later on Thursday, Coomer addressed Hillsboro City Council with these concerns.

• The monthly luncheon at the Ponderosa Banquet Center was sponsored by Preferred Midwest Title.

• The winner of this month's "split the pot" was Angie Matticks. The winning ticket was drawn by ... Angie Matticks.