Bulletin: MD2019005

Dear Associates:

Background

Baltimore City suffered a ransomware attack on May 7, 2019, that prevents the City from accessing its mainframe computer. To facilitate processing real property transactions, the City developed and implemented a manual workaround beginning on May 20th.   

Baltimore City is now able to process actual lien sheets that include Real Property Taxes due and payable July 1, 2019, municipal liens, environmental liens, and any miscellaneous bills due to Baltimore City. Tax sale information is also available.

Water bill information is still not available, therefore, we will continue to require the Baltimore City Seller Affidavit be signed at closing and to be sent with recording package. Please escrow a minimum of 6 months of the last water bill paid by the seller.

Baltimore City has developed a special Seller Affidavit for the sale of HUD REO properties.  

The affidavit requires the signature of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a joinder by the Grantee (purchaser). We are evaluating these transactions on a case by case basis.

If you have one of the following types of transactions, please contact our office for permission to insure in Baltimore City. We are evaluating on a case by case basis:

REO Sales

Short Sales

Deed in Lieu Transactions

Distribution deeds from PR’s 

Deeds pursuant to divorce or separation  

If you have any questions relating to this or other bulletins, please contact a Stewart Title Guaranty Company underwriter.

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