Register's Blog

On the north side of the Bridgewater Town Common is a historical home which caught the attention of Lorna Green-Baker, one of our employees. The “Tory House” as it is commonly identified has an interesting multi-century history. Built in 1698, it was the home of a Tory sympathizer who was forced to leave town during the Revolutionary War Period.

In the mid-1800’s, it became a stop on the Underground Railroad assisting runaway slaves. In particular, William and Ellen Crafts stopped here on their way to Boston. The Crafts later published a story of their bold escape which became very popular with the public at that time.

The Tory House later became a rooming house for boarders from the nearby, Bridgewater Academy, now closed. There is a historical marker on the side of the now privately owned home.

Our December numbers were strong with 669 deeds recorded in December, 2011 as compared to 624 deeds recorded in December, 2010. December also brought the second highest number of mortgages recorded (2373) in 2011. These results contributed to our recent Register’s Report explaining that we had a stronger second half of 2011 in terms of sales than the first half of the year.

Overall, 2011 recording results at the Plymouth County Registry of deeds were a mixed bag. The number of sales declined 5% as compared to 2010, but since June, 2011 we saw sales increase. Despite historically low interest rates, the number of mortgages recorded were down 11% compared to 2010.

Our continuing distressed marketplace remains, caused in great part by our national and local economic problems. As a result of those issues, many people are having difficulty keeping up with their mortgages. However, for a variety of reasons, including a slow down in processing by national banks, foreclosure deeds and foreclosure notices were significantly lower than last year. In 2011, foreclosure deeds were down 28%. Foreclosure notices, the first documents we see at the registry in a foreclosure, were down 30%.

Although January and February are traditionally our two slowest months, we hope the trend in sales towards the end of 2011 continues in 2012. We wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!

While our November recordings reflect our traditional seasonal decline, there are some positive results in our end of month report.  We recorded 557 deeds in November, 2011.  While down from the 626 deeds recorded in October, 2011, it was a significant increase over the 456 deeds recorded in November, 2010. When you factor in that a lesser percentage of our recorded deeds were foreclosure deeds, the numbers appear even brighter.

We also recorded the highest number of mortgages in a single month for all of 2011, despite the fact that so many homeowners are underwater and at this point unable to refinance.  We should see over the next couple of months whether the changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) actually allow more access to a refinance option.  We will post something on this website soon about eligibility for that program.

Despite a 30% year-to-date drop in foreclosure deeds,  and a 34% year-to-date drop in foreclosure notices, we, along with many others, are watching to see whether this is a temporary slowdown. Recent litigation brought by Massachusetts Attorney General, Martha Coakley, against major national lenders, and recent proposed legislative changes filed by state legislators, may have an impact on that.

Paragon Park, an amusement park located on Hull’s Nantasket Beach, is a new addition to the Plymouth County Registry of Deeds “Notable Land Records Collection”.  Opened in 1905, Paragon Park provided  family entertainment for generations.  The park was home to the world’s tallest roller coaster, the Congo Cruise, the Wild Mouse, and many other thrilling rides.

Paragon Park was closed in 1984 and turned into condominiums.  Hull retains the flavor and memories of its days of entertaining rides.  While not as heart-stopping as the 96-foot high “Giant Coaster”, as anyone who dared to ride it will remember, the Paragon Carousel remains.  It has been recognized as “the last vestige of Paragon Park”.  The Carousel is operated by the “Friends of the Carousel” and in their words is a reminder of the “Golden Age” of Hull.  It is also a great place to visit for young and old.

Thank you to former Registry employee and former Hull Selectman Jim Tobin for bringing this notable land record forward.

The Plymouth County Registry of Deeds was recently recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an Energy Star partner.  The EPA, in recognizing us, partners with us to expand our Green Building Committee’s efforts to promote energy efficient operations.

As previously reported, our Green Building Committee’s projects have reduced our electricity usage and created a paper recycling program among many other accomplishments.  Green Building Committee members are John Zigouras, Chair, Beth Sheibley-Goldrosen, Barbara Bardon, Greg White, Sue Wood, Chris Grasso and Gina Clark.

We congratulate them and our employees on their efforts to reduce energy costs and for their leadership in protecting the environment for future generations.

Join Congressman Bill Keating in the WHITE RIBBON EVENT of Men Against Domestic Violence, on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, at the Plymouth Registry of Deeds, 50 Obery Street, Plymouth.

“Domestic violence is not just a woman’s issue.  We all have a role to play to promote peace in our communities.  That’s why I am asking men (and women) to join me in pledging to work to end domestic violence”.  Congressman Bill Keating

On Tuesday, October 18, 2011, CATIC and Simplifile will conduct a live demonstration summarizing the process of an electronic document recording in our main office located at 50 Obery Street, Plymouth, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Please see the attached notice for further information.

To register please e-mail Tiffany Payton at tpayton@caticaccess.com, or call her at 781-237-8770.

Our report for recording information from the month of September is now available. Over the course of September, we saw a slight drop in sales, as evidenced by the number of deeds recorded, which is typical for this time of year.  More people took advantage of historically low interests rates and refinanced, although not at the pace that these low rates should generate. There are obviously many others who, due to the fact that the current value of their home is lower than their current mortgage balance, are not qualified to refinance. There are proposals in the early stages pending before Congress and federal agencies that would allow more people who are “underwater” to refinance.

Our foreclosure crisis continues, although at a significantly lower pace at this time. September’s huge drop in foreclosure notices, the first notice we record at the registry when the foreclosure process has begun on a property, was contrary to all predictions. Beyond anything else this data is clear evidence of the unpredictability of our current housing market. Our September report lists foreclosure notices and foreclosure deeds on a community by community basis.

We recently have received copies of letters of soliciation from an out of state company based in Illinois, National Record Service, offering to provide Plymouth County residents a certified copy of their deed for $59.50, as compared to our regular cost of $1.00 per page. Although we have seen approaches like this before, in this case the company is requesting credit card information and claiming to be following the recommendation of a United States Government agency.

We have posted a CONSUMER ALERT on this website and at our various locations. We have also forwarded a copy of the soliciatation to Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Consumer Protection Division for review. In addition, we have sent the Consumer Alert to area news outlets.

One of our Registry family members, Corporal Cory J. Lacey, the son of our Brockton Satellite Office Manager, Carolyn Lacey is again serving overseas-this time in Afghanistan. To show our appreciation to Cory and his fellow Marines, we are collecting items for a “Care Package” to send them. Please see the attached flyer for suggested items to donate. We will have bins for the items at our Plymouth, Brockton and Rockland offices.

In the past, when we did this for other children or relatives of Registry employees, we had great support from our employees, title examiners, attorneys and general users of the Registry. Thank you for your past support of our troops and I hope this project will be equally successful.