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Define Constructive Notice in Real Estate

Constructive Notice: 

"Constructive notice" means that people are considered to have knowledge of something because it was made available to them in a public record, even if they didn't actually know about it themselves. For example, if someone wants to buy a house, they can look up the property records to see if there are any liens or other claims against the property. Even if the buyer didn't actually know about the claims before looking them up, they are considered to have "constructive notice" of them because they were publicly available.

Example: 

Let's say you want to buy a car, but before you make the purchase, you look up the car's history report to see if it has been in any accidents or had any major repairs. Even if the seller didn't tell you about these things, because they were listed in the report, you are considered to have "constructive notice" of them.

Illustration of Dumb Ox mascot.

"Wit & Whimsy with the Dumb Ox: Unlocking Knowledge with Rhyme:"

Constructive notice, what a thing to know!
It means you're supposed to know, even if you don't go.
The records are public, they're there for you to see,
So you can't say you didn't know, oh no, not thee!

If you want to buy a house, you should take a look,
In the records, to see if there's anything they've mistook.
Even if you don't know, if it's in the book,
You have constructive notice, so don't be mistook!

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