Come On, I Lien!
Yes, English pop band Dexy's Midnight Runners sang about "Eileen" instead of "I Lien," but Cascade Title will work any angle to get people interested in liens. Technically, any monetary encumbrance secured by real estate is a lien but, usually, the term "lien" is intended to refer to liens filed by laborers or suppliers who want to get paid for their work or materials (also called a "Mechanic's or Materialmen's Lien"). Such a lien can be filed (recorded) up to 90 days AFTER the laborer or supplier's LAST day on the construction project, and can be foreclosed by filing a lawsuit up to 8 months after the lien is filed. If valid, the priority of the lien is higher than that of a Deed of Trust that is filed AFTER the first day the laborer or supplier FIRST did labor or supplied materials. That's why we're paranoid about liens! They are a rare exception to the rule "first in time, first in right" that forms the basis for our recording system of resolving conflicting title claims on real property.
Often, we'll ask borrowers if they have had recent work performed on their property - it's not because we're making idle conversation. We want to make sure that no party files a lien after we close the sale or refinance. If there's any question about possible lien rights, we'll ask the property owner and/or contractor to sign an agreement that protects the title company: an indemnification agreement. It says, "We agree to pay everyone that works on or supplies materials. If a lien gets filed, it's our problem, not the title company's problem." Now you know about liens. Still unanswered is "Why can't I get that song out of my mind?"
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Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy!
 Cascade Title just held our second annual Photo Day, where Realtors could get their photo taken by a professional photographer to replace their high school mug shot on their business cards. What comment did we hear over and over? "WOW, your office is really easy to find!" We're the first building on the right after taking the Downtown/Mill Plain Exit off I-5. Look for the BIG white sign on the building! We have plenty of easy parking for you and your customers.
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