County DA Warns Against Deceiving Mailers

Residents should ignore mailers offering grant deeds for inflated prices, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said Friday.

Official-looking mail solicitations for the rarely needed document offer to obtain grant deeds on residents' behalf for up to $90, suggesting that the deed would help establish home ownership and home value, the district attorney's office said.

But the district attorney's officials say the document can be obtained from the county for a mere $10.

"In tough economic times, we want to make sure that homeowners aren't spending hard-earned money for something they can get far more cheaply ... if they need it at all," Deputy District Attorney David Lim said.

Officials say that mailers, some of which are being sent from out-of-state, look official and suggest that homeowners should have the document because it will prove legal ownership and help establish the value of their home. Experts say that grant deeds, while establishing ownership, are rarely needed for anything but basic documentation.  

Homeowners interested in obtaining a copy of the grant deed to their property can go to their respective Recorder’s website and save money by ordering their own grant deeds.

—By Bay City News Service