Disappearing Deed of Trust ? (mortgage, refinance, loans)

[CynosuraAdspectus]

Some years ago I refinanced my home with Country Wide Mortgage Homr Loans. I had to surrender Deed of Trust to my home I owned outright. Bank of America acquired Country Wide Home loans. Bank of America then transfered my loan to Green Tree Mortgage Home Loans.
I was uncomfortable with these home loan musical chairs, so I paid off remainder of loan, expecting my Deed of Trust to be returned, which it never was. I've talked to a title company and they say my home is not encumbered, dispite the fact my Deed of Trust was never returned.
In my personal opinion, my Deed of Trust is sitting in a folder somewhere and I'm uncomfortable with this senario.
Is feeling uncomfortable warranted, or am I overreacting?

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Yes, I'd be annoyed, too.

Try calling your county recorder's office. I think they should have a copy of your Deed of Title. I'm thinking that when you refinanced it, that loan was also recorded. At any rate, I think you should go to your county recorders office and ask them to look up what's recorded for your property and if they have a copy of the Deed of Title. See if the loan was recorded and if it shows that it was paid off, etc.

At any rate, talking to the county recorder clerk would be free, and I think a good place to start.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Originally Posted by CynosuraAdspectus

Some years ago I refinanced my home with Country Wide Mortgage Homr Loans. I had to surrender Deed of Trust to my home I owned outright. Bank of America acquired Country Wide Home loans. Bank of America then transfered my loan to Green Tree Mortgage Home Loans.
I was uncomfortable with these home loan musical chairs, so I paid off remainder of loan, expecting my Deed of Trust to be returned, which it never was. I've talked to a title company and they say my home is not encumbered, dispite the fact my Deed of Trust was never returned.
In my personal opinion, my Deed of Trust is sitting in a folder somewhere and I'm uncomfortable with this senario.
Is feeling uncomfortable warranted, or am I overreacting?

You paid off the Deed of Trust and as such it does not exist anymore. What you want to know is what does the title say now. You should not have to feel uncomfortable with who ever holds your deed of trust. As long as you are or were satisfying the demands of the deed of trust you would be fine. From what you have said that is the case. You paid it off. Lucky you.

As far as owning your home outright, if that was the case, why did you have a deed of trust? Having a deed of trust means that you are still paying on the loan or maybe you took out a loan on the property. All a deed of trust does is allow you to borrow on real property with the stipulation that you will pay it back. If the Bank or institution lending you the money decides to sell to another institution or in the case of Country Wide, are taken over by another institution then they have to abide by the terms of the Deed of Trust.

[JGC97]

Many counties now have online access to the recorder's office. If your county is one of them, you can look it up online to see if it was recorded. Then, purchase a copy of it for your records.