How to Correct a Mistaken Property Listing and Protect Your Home Address

If your home address is incorrectly listed as the point of contact for a property that isn't yours, it can lead to a cascade of unwanted mail, visits, and frustration. This situation, often resulting from errors in public records or Multiple Listing Services (MLS), requires a clear, step-by-step approach to resolve. The core solution involves verifying the error's source, formally disputing the mistake with the responsible agency, and monitoring your address online to prevent future issues. Acting promptly is essential to protect your privacy and avoid ongoing disruptions.

What Are the Common Sources of a Mistaken Property Listing?

A mistaken property listing typically stems from errors in databases that are considered authoritative. The most common sources include the local county assessor’s office, which maintains public records for Property Tax assessments, and the MLS, a database used by real estate professionals to share property information. Other sources can be third-party real estate websites that scrape and sometimes inaccurately republish data. An error can be as simple as a transposed street number entered by a listing agent or a more systemic issue in the transfer of records after a recent home sale. When a home's address is incorrectly attached to another property's listing, it becomes publicly associated with that listing, leading to misdirected communications.

How Do You Formally Dispute an Incorrect Listing?

The dispute process must be direct and documented. Based on our experience assessment, you should follow these steps:

1. Identify the Source: Search for your address on major real estate portals and the website of your local county recorder or assessor. The source of the error will dictate who you need to contact.
2. Contact the Listing Agent: If the error is on the MLS, find the listing and contact the agent directly. They have both the ability and the responsibility to correct inaccurate information promptly.
3. File a Correction with the County: For errors in public records, you will likely need to submit a formal, written request for correction to your county assessor’s office. This may require providing proof of your ownership and the correct property details.
4. Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications, including emails, letters, and the names of officials you speak with. This creates a paper trail if the issue escalates.

Persistence is often necessary, as bureaucratic processes can be slow. Following up weekly is a reasonable strategy.

What Are the Practical Steps to Protect Your Privacy?

While resolving the core issue, you can take immediate steps to mitigate the impact on your daily life. Place a clear sign on your property stating "No Soliciting" and "Not the Location for [Address of Incorrect Listing]" to deter unwanted visitors. For persistent misdirected mail, you can speak with your local postmaster about filtering options. Furthermore, consider setting up a Google Alert for your home address to monitor if it appears incorrectly on new websites. This proactive approach helps you catch and address new errors quickly before they become significant problems.

Correcting a mistaken property listing requires a methodical approach. The most critical action is to identify the original source of the error and file a formal dispute. Protecting your privacy with clear signage and monitoring your address online are effective interim measures. By following these verifiable steps, you can resolve the situation and restore peace of mind to your home environment.