Property DNA for Sellers: Know What Could Derail Your Closing Before You List

Here's when we'd rather discover a problem with your property:

Before you list it.

Here's when we don't want to discover it:

Three days before closing.

One of the most useful things a homeowner can do before selling is find out what the records actually say about their property.

That's one reason Viking Title offers Property DNA Reports.

In fact, you don't necessarily have to wait until you've chosen a real estate agent or accepted an offer.

Pull the information early.

Find the Problems Before There's a Buyer Waiting

Once you're under contract, the clock starts ticking.

The buyer has expectations.

The buyer's lender has deadlines.

Movers may be scheduled.

Another home purchase may depend on the proceeds.

And suddenly discovering an old lien or ownership problem becomes everyone's emergency.

Why wait?

A Property DNA Report may give you an early indication of issues worth investigating.

Do You Have Involuntary Liens?

One of the first things we'd look at is whether available records indicate involuntary liens or other claims.

Those can potentially include:

• Tax liens
• HOA liens
• Municipal or utility-related liens
• Judgments
• Mechanics liens
• Other recorded claims

Some may be completely legitimate.

Others may not be.

A Lien Showing Up Doesn't Always Mean You Still Owe It

This is incredibly important.

Recorded information isn't perfect.

We've seen situations where obligations were paid but releases weren't properly recorded.

Sometimes something from an old transaction wasn't cleared correctly.

Sometimes names create false matches.

Sometimes additional research is simply necessary.

That's why discovering something early is so valuable.

If your DNA Report shows something you don't understand, call us.

Let Viking help you figure out what you're looking at and whether additional title work or documentation may be necessary.

That's much easier months or weeks before closing than when everyone is waiting for money to move.

Make Sure Ownership Looks Right

Who actually owns the property according to available records?

Does that match who believes they own it?

Most of the time, the answer is straightforward.

Sometimes it isn't.

Marriage, divorce, trusts, estates, deaths, prior deeds and other circumstances can complicate ownership.

If there's a discrepancy, we'd much rather start investigating it before you've signed a contract promising to deliver title to a buyer.

Know Your Existing Financing

Your DNA Report may also identify recorded mortgages or deeds of trust against the property.

Those are generally voluntary liens, obligations you agreed could be secured by your real estate.

Knowing what's recorded is useful for obvious reasons.

But there's another reason sellers should pay attention to their mortgage:

Your existing loan could potentially be a selling point.

Could Your Mortgage Be Assumable?

Certain loans, particularly qualifying FHA and VA financing, may be assumable under applicable lender and program requirements.

Why does that matter?

Imagine you obtained qualifying financing during the period when mortgage rates were historically low.

A buyer looking at your property today may be comparing the cost of obtaining a new mortgage at today's rate against the possibility of assuming your existing lower-rate loan and addressing the remaining equity separately.

That can potentially change the economics of purchasing your property.

Assumption is not automatic, and the buyer generally must satisfy applicable requirements.

But if your financing may be assumable, wouldn't you want to know before marketing your home?

That's information worth discussing with your real estate and lending professionals.

Know Your Property Taxes

Your Property DNA Report also provides useful property-tax information.

Taxes affect carrying costs and can matter when buyers evaluate affordability.

Knowing the numbers ahead of time makes it easier to answer questions accurately and understand your own transaction.

What Do the Numbers Say About Value?

The report can also include AI-generated comparable-property and valuation information.

That doesn't replace your real estate agent.

In fact, we encourage sellers to use a qualified local real estate professional who understands things automated data may not.

But having a neutral additional data point before meeting with an agent can help you have a better conversation.

If an automated analysis suggests one range and a real estate professional recommends something substantially different, that's not automatically a problem.

It's an opportunity to ask:

Why?

Maybe your home is substantially more updated.

Maybe there's something unusual about the comparable properties.

Maybe the automated data missed something important.

Information helps you ask better questions.

Don't Wait for the Title Order to Learn About Your Own Property

A formal title search performed as part of an actual transaction goes beyond a Property DNA Report.

That's important.

A DNA Report isn't title insurance or a guarantee that every possible issue has been found.

But it can give you an incredibly useful head start.

Selling your home is stressful enough.

There's no reason to voluntarily save the surprises for closing.

Know what's recorded.

Know how ownership appears.

Know about potential liens.

Know your existing financing.

Know whether that financing could potentially create an opportunity for a buyer.

And if something doesn't make sense?

Call us before it becomes an emergency.

That's exactly why we're here.

Property DNA Reports are informational products and do not replace a formal title examination, title commitment, title insurance policy, appraisal, legal advice or professional real estate valuation. Loan assumption eligibility must be confirmed with the applicable lender or loan servicer.