This does two things: 1) Triggers your mortgage company to procure very expensive lender-placed coverage on the property, and 2) Raises a red flag about the title transfer. 

I've visited Columbus several times since about this time last year, but last month my partner and I planted a flag here by closing on two portfolios, a 36 unit and 24 unit apartments. 

The problem I am running into is that the co-signer will not also be occupying, which was a red flag for this lender. 

@Carrie Mims Could be a potential red flag that no permits were pulled or the municipality does not consider that area of the home to be "livable square footage".

Huge red flags.

What are some obvious flags to consider apart?

You can set up an "American Gladiators" ring in the backyard and have them duke it out.3.

Many American’s are learning to down-size and COVID is accelerating this mindset.2.  

@Peter WaltherTo get into the disctinctions between fraud & forgery is not my intention in the article, nor to opine on the various reported cases of alleged title fraud (for example, who would prevail in a given action), merely to encourage property owners to be aware of red flags & risk factors, & take steps to make their ownership more secure. 

People talk up owning their own home because it's something you should do as part of the American Dream, but in reality there are also some good benefits to being a renter and a lot of people won't admit that out loud because it can seem (culturally) that you're a loser.