Real Estate Transfer Clerk

Description

Perform complex property transfer and related functions; search titles; and deal with other departments, agencies and the general public in the office or on the telephone. Work is performed under supervision as determined by the City Real Estate Assessor based on current workloads and department needs.

Examples of Duties

• Read, interpret and record data from deeds to update and/or correct real estate parcel records.
• Conduct title searches to obtain correct owner of record information for updating files.
• Process new and corrected source documents to update files for property subdivisions.
• Answer inquiries from surveyors, real estate agents, lawyers, other City departments, mortgage companies and the general public.
• Enter new owners in the Assessor’s software system from deed transfers or other documents.
• Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on then current workloads and department needs.
• Accurately interpret all pertinent data for the purposes of recording property transfers;
• Accurately perform research and title searches to obtain missing or incorrect information to correctly maintain land file in an accurate and up to date condition
• Answer inquiries in an accurate, timely and courteous manner;
• Read and interpret recording instruments from the Clerk of the Circuit Court and thoroughly check for accuracy of information.
• Assist in the research of escheated or unknown property by checking prior year deed books and other recorded documents through the Clerk of Circuit Courts office to determine record ownership of property, and if undetermined, property is then turned over to the escheator for the Commonwealth for further disposition.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High school or GED plus three (3) years’ experience in fields providing the required knowledge, skills and abilities, such as work in real estate transfers and title research; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Preferences:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of departmental purpose and procedures.
• Knowledge of the principles and terminology of real estate.
• Knowledge of principles and terminology of mortgage banking.
• Knowledge of the municipal real estate system.
• Knowledge of state and local tax legislation as it applies to real estate ownership and transfer.
• Knowledge of practices associated with title research.

Skills:

• Skill in operating all office equipment.
• Skill in desktop computer operation.
• Skill in title research.
• Skill in scan reading with high degree of comprehension.
• Strong Communication (oral and written) and customer service.

Abilities:

• Ability to work under stressful conditions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to transpose descriptive real estate data into useful map and reference numbers.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain real estate records and files.
• Ability to interpret deeds, maps and plats.
• Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform tasks that require obtaining cooperation from co-workers or citizens to accomplish assigned tasks.
• Ability to work independently, but seek guidance when uncertainties arise.
• Ability to remember procedures and recall them to carry out routine tasks.
• Ability to adjust routine procedures to accommodate challenges or improve processes.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.

Supplemental Information

Work Environment:

• Work is performed indoors in an office environment.

Essential Physical Activities:

• Stooping, crouching, walking, lifting, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, talking, standing, finger movement, depth perception.