For many people, their home is one of the most valuable assets they own. Whether you have lived in your home for decades, recently purchased property, or own real estate as part of your investment portfolio, keeping track of what is happening with your property records is an important part of protecting what you have worked hard to build.
Fortunately, Georgia property owners have access to a free tool that can make monitoring property records a little easier: the Filing Activity Notification System (FANS).
Provided by the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), FANS allows you to sign up for notifications when certain documents are filed that match the information you provide.
What Is FANS?
The Filing Activity Notification System, commonly called FANS, is a notification service available through the GSCCCA.
After registering, you can set up information for the system to monitor. When qualifying filing activity matches that information, FANS can send you a notification.
The goal is simple: to help property owners become aware of filing activity involving their property records.
You can learn more and register through the GSCCCA here:
Filing Activity Notification System (FANS)
Why Should I Monitor My Property Records?
Property records contain important information about real estate ownership and transactions. Because your property may be one of your largest assets, it can be helpful to know when activity occurs in the public record involving it.
Monitoring your records can provide an additional opportunity to notice something unexpected.
For example, if you receive a notification about a document you don't recognize or weren't expecting, you can take the time to investigate it. An alert does not automatically mean something is wrong, but it can prompt you to take a closer look.
This can be particularly valuable because people don't necessarily check their property records regularly. Without some type of notification system, an unexpected filing could potentially go unnoticed for some time.
Can FANS Help With Property Fraud?
Property and deed-related fraud is one reason some property owners choose to monitor their records.
Fraud involving real estate can take different forms. In some situations, a fraudulent document may be recorded in an attempt to make it appear that someone has an interest in or authority over a property.
FANS does not prevent fraudulent or unauthorized documents from being filed, and an alert does not determine whether a filing is legitimate. However, receiving a notification can help you become aware of qualifying filing activity sooner.
If you receive an alert about a filing that you do not recognize, don't panic. Instead, review the information carefully and consider contacting the appropriate county office or a qualified attorney who can help you understand what was filed and what steps may be appropriate.
Is FANS Only for Homeowners?
FANS can be useful for people who own different types of real estate, not just a primary residence.
Depending on your circumstances, you may own:
- A primary residence
- A vacation or second home
- Rental property
- Commercial property
- Land or other real estate
- Property held as part of an investment portfolio
If you own multiple properties, taking the time to understand what information you can monitor may be particularly useful.
How Does FANS Fit Into Estate Planning?
Estate planning involves much more than deciding who receives your assets after you die. It also involves understanding what you own, how those assets are titled, and how they fit into your overall plan.
Real estate can be especially important because the way a property is titled can affect how it is handled during your lifetime and after your death.
For example, an estate plan may include a home or other real estate as one of its significant assets. Keeping track of your property records can therefore be one small part of staying organized and informed about your overall estate.
I encourage clients to periodically review their assets and make sure their estate-planning documents continue to reflect their wishes. Monitoring property records can complement that process by helping you stay aware of activity involving your real estate.
What Should I Do If I Receive an Unexpected Notification?
Receiving a FANS notification does not necessarily mean there is a problem. There may be a perfectly legitimate reason for the filing.
If you receive an alert about activity you don't recognize, however, it is worth taking the time to understand what the notification relates to.
Consider:
- Reviewing the notification carefully. Look at the information provided and determine what property or filing it references.
- Thinking about recent activity. Have you recently refinanced your mortgage, transferred property, updated ownership, or completed another transaction that could explain the filing?
- Reviewing the recorded document. If appropriate, obtain and review the document associated with the filing.
- Seeking professional guidance if something doesn't look right. If you believe a filing may be unauthorized or fraudulent, an attorney may be able to help you understand your options.
Taking action sooner rather than later can be helpful when something appears inconsistent with your records or expectations.
How Do I Sign Up for FANS?
Signing up for FANS is free and can be done online through the GSCCCA.
Visit:
From there, you can follow the registration instructions and provide the information needed to establish your notifications.
Because the system is designed to notify you about qualifying filing activity, it's important to enter your information carefully and understand what the system is monitoring.
A Simple Step Toward Staying Informed
Protecting your property doesn't always require a complicated process. Sometimes, a simple step like setting up a notification can help you stay more informed about an important asset.
FANS isn't a substitute for an estate plan, legal advice, or regularly reviewing your property records. It also doesn't prevent fraudulent filings. Instead, think of it as an additional tool that can help you stay aware of qualifying activity involving your property.
If you own property in Georgia, consider taking a few minutes to explore FANS and determine whether the notification system is right for you.
And if you haven't reviewed your estate plan recently, this can also be a good reminder to take a fresh look at how your home, real estate, and other assets are titled and whether your current plan still reflects your wishes.
Learn more and sign up for FANS through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.