Erie County, NY – February 23, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The long-held tradition of attorney’s and their prospective homebuyers having to come downtown to Old County Hall to sign a multitude legal documents to purchase their new home might soon become a thing of the past.
Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs announced today that in Erie County homeowners can now electronically record (e-Record) deeds and deed related documents. Meaning homebuyers can close on their home electronically at their attorney’s office.
“We believe e-recording of deeds and mortgages will give homebuyers a much more convenient option in terms of closing and hope over time decrease closing costs,” said Jacobs.
When Jacobs took office three years ago he unearthed a crisis in the Clerk’s Real Estate Division, finding more than 100,000 deeds and mortgages unreturned to homeowners and over $3 million dollars in uncashed checks. After an extensive “Re-Engineering” project Jacobs has transformed the division into a model of efficiency.
The Clerk’s Offices records hundreds of different types of property related documents, over 185,000 transactions last year. “When I took office three years ago not one document-type in our Land Records Division could be processed electronically, all had to be transacted in paper, now 99% of our transactions can be done electronically,” stated Jacobs.
Jacobs has coordinated efforts with experienced electronic recording facilitators such as Corporation Service Company, a registered submitter with Erie County. “We’re pleased to partner with the Erie County Clerk’s Office to expand its document recording capabilities,” said Mark Rosser, Vice President of CSC. “The increased efficiency and accuracy has the potential to significantly reduce both origination and recording costs, saving money for the recording office and those they serve on a day-to-day basis.”
For more information on how to begin e-recording deeds and deed related documents with the County Clerk’s Office please visit www.erie.gov/clerk/erecord or call 716-858-8797.
