@Troy Forney Here is an interesting perspective I heard from a co-worker who is a lender who has much more experience than me and has seen a few cycles.

Petersburg, FL 33701 O: 727.214.6454 Office | C: 727.239.5152 | F: 727.228.8993

Not for $20 to $50 per hour when the distance between properties is spread out and not when they are using their personal vehicle, gasoline and have to leave their office for several entire days!

Go to your county recorder's office and request the lists (they may also have self service computers to look up these files).

I believe your Regional Office for AL is St.

There’s over 300 offices in the USA.

IE in many areas you have historic platted lots  say 25x100 and you had one person buy say 4 lots.. well the assessor to make things easier on their office would combine the 4 lots into one for tax purposes ( common) at least out here on the left coast. 

If an agent/title company/escrow officer, then your "safe" until process resolves.If you gave it directly to seller, they probably already spent it, making it more likely you'll have to work out a deal to continue the purchase or take them to small claims.

A word of advice … don't wait until the closing, assuming you get a plat of survey, to confirm that you're actually getting 5 acres of property.Do your own research, perhaps review with the county assessors office that the tax bill is based on the assessed value of a full five acres of property.I must tell you that you should (a) hire a real estate attorney to represent you and (b) obtain an owners title insurance policy when you purchase this property.Good luck.h the county assessors office.and google specify $5kand google specify $5k

Finally, she gave me the phone number of her social worker.