Real estate records are located in local government offices that record real estate transactions, such as sales, refinances and other transfers. In most states, including California, the government office is at the county level and is generally referred to as the county recorder’s office. Some states require real estate records to be filed in the clerk’s office of the local county courthouse, while a few states, such as Connecticut, parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, require real estate records to be recorded in cities or towns. In all cases, these are public records you can review. Among them, you will find grant deed information.
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Obtain the owner’s complete name and the address of the property for which you seek grant deed information. If the grant deed information you seek is for a property you are purchasing, the owner-seller should provide this information to you. If you are simply doing title research for a property, you can find the address information by making a site visit; however, finding ownership will vary in difficulty depending on the office where real estate records are kept. For example, the recorder’s office in San Diego County provides ownership information by phone, while the Los Angeles County Recorder’s office requires an office visit.
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Check the government office website, if available, for information regarding a search of the grantor-grantee index for real estate records. In some cases, such as in San Francisco and San Diego counties, this information is available online. In Los Angeles County, the information is only available in-person in the public viewing room at the recorder’s office.
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Locate the index with the grantor-grantee information, whether from an online system or at the recorder’s office. The index will list all the transactions involving the owner for the real estate you are interested in searching. For example, for the grant deed information you are searching, the current owner will be listed as the grantee, and the person who transferred the property to him will be listed as the grantor. Check the grantee index for the grantor’s name, and you will find the name of the person who transferred the real estate to him. Searching the index for each successive name you find, you can go back in time as far as you want--or as far as possible--to determine all the prior owners.
This week, the companies behind the two biggest US search engines teased radical changes to the way their services operate, powered by new AI technology that allows for more conversational and complex responses. In the process, however, the companies may test both the accuracy of these tools and the willingness of everyday users to embrace and find utility in a very different search experience.
"Although we are 25 years into search, I dare say that our story has just begun," said Prabhakar Raghavan, an SVP at Google, at the event Wednesday teasing the new AI features. "We have even more exciting, AI-enabled innovations in the works that will change the way people search, work and play. We're reinventing what it means to search and the best is yet to come."
Lian Jye Su, a research director at tech intelligence firm ABI Research, believes consumers and businesses would be happy to embrace a new way to search as long as "it is intuitive, removes more friction, and offers the path of least resistance — akin to the success of smart home voice assistants, like Alexa and Google Assistant."
But there is at least one wild card: how much users will be able to trust the AI-powered results.
A new search experience, and new problems
Bard and ChatGPT, which was released publicly in late November OpenAI, are built on large language models. These models are trained on vast troves of online data in order to generate compelling responses to user prompts. Experts warn these tools can be unreliable — spreading misinformation, making up responses and giving different answers to the same questions, or presenting sexist and racist biases.
"Consumers, and even business users, may have fun exploring the new Bing and Bard interfaces for a while, but as the novelty wears off and similar tools appear, then it really comes down to ease of access and accuracy and trust in the responses that will win out," he said.
Generative AI systems, which are algorithms that can create new content, are notoriously unreliable. Laura Edelson, a computer scientist and misinformation researcher at New York University, said, "there's a big difference between an AI sounding authoritative and it actually producing accurate results."
While general search optimizes for relevance, according to Edelson, large language models try to achieve a particular style in their response without regard to factual accuracy. "One of those styles is, 'I am a trustworthy, authoritative source,'" she said.
On a very basic level, she said, AI systems analyze which words are next to each other, determine how they get associated and identify the patterns that lead them to appear together. But much of the onus remains on the user to fact check the answers, a process that could prove just as time consuming for people as the current model of scrolling through links on a page — if not more so.
Microsoft and Google executives have acknowledged some of the potential issues with the new AI tools.
"We know we wont be able to answer every question every single time," said Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's vice president and consumer chief marketing officer. "We also know we'll make our share of mistakes, so we've added a quick feedback button at the top of every search, so you can provide us feedback and we can learn."
Raghavan, at Google, also emphasized the importance of feedback from internal and external testing to make sure the tool "meets the high bar, our high bar for quality, safety, and groundedness, before we launch more broadly."
But even with the concerns, the companies are betting that these tools offer the answer to the future of search.
-- CNN's Clare Duffy, Catherine Thorbecke and Brian Fung contributed to this story.
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To further protect the integrity of our editorial content, we keep a strict separation between our sales teams and authors to remove any pressure or influence on our analyses and research.
Read our editorial policy to learn more about our process.
Editor’s note: This is a guest commentary from Oren Etzioni, former CEO of the Allen Institute for AI (AI2), a Seattle-based organization at the forefront of natural language processing research. Etzioni is now a technical director at the AI2 Incubator, an AI-focused startup incubator.
The integration of ChatGPT into Microsoft’s Bing search engine heralds a tectonic shift for consumers, publishers, and advertisers on the web.
In accurate weeks, Bing has gotten a lot of buzz, and Google has lost $100 billion-plus in market capitalization. But changes over the next five years will be far more profound.
What seemed like a staid and steady web search industry, largely monopolized by Google, has been thrown into disarray by the fact that content generation is now instantaneous, fully automated, and its cost is rapidly dropping toward zero.
This shift means that authoritative sources and genuine experts will be more important than ever.
For consumers, more efficient search has a long history which includes Google’s knowledge panels (2012), featured snippets at the top of the search result page (2014), voice assistants such as Alexa (2014), and now ChatGPT.
Over time, a concierge experience will emerge where a consumer can ask a question, receive an answer from a chatbot, and engage in a dialogue to further refine the response.
This could be good news for consumers, but it also raises a thorny question: who is the concierge working for?
As a consumer, I hope for an objective and informative answer but the chatbot will not necessarily oblige.
- A chatbot’s answers depend on its training text which contains myriad biases.
- The chatbot might be manipulated through its training process (similar to the practice of Google bombing).
- Different chatbots will emerge that represent particular perspectives (the GOP bot), commercial interests (the ExxonMobil bot), and specific individuals (would you like to converse with Biden bot? The Kim Kardashian bot?).
- And of course, chatbots could be influenced by advertisers.
Historically, search engines distinguished between search results and sponsored or “featured” results (i.e., ads) but product placement may surface inside chatbot responses, undermining their credibility.
In response, consumer advocate chatbots will emerge, charging a subscription fee instead of being ad-supported. As chatbots proliferate, search engines will emerge that help the consumer find the “right” bot for a conversation. Meta-bots could collate multiple responses to a question, each originating from a different chatbot.
Consumers will be inundated with an unprecedented amount of automatically generated “noise” in the form of websites and messages — emails, posts, responses in social media, and more.
The minimal cost of generating seemingly authentic text (along with pictures, audio, and even video) will result in unprecedented information pollution and even AI-based forgery.
In response, I have argued for a stronger role for digital authentication of identity (who actually wrote that message?) and for rules that require bots to identify themselves. Consumers have a right to know if we are interacting with a person or a bot.
As the volume of content increases, publishers will face unprecedented pressure to remain relevant, discoverable, and valuable. Certainly, clickbait websites with titles like “top 10 things to do in Seattle” will be replaced by more personalized and up-to-date chatbot responses. Collections of reviews found at Amazon or on Google Maps will remain informative only if the reviews are appropriately authenticated — otherwise, it will be all-too-easy to create volumes of fake reviews.
Likewise, the information on social media (popular posts, for example) will only be meaningful if popularity isn’t manipulated by bots. Authoritative sources will become even more essential as people clamor for reliable facts in a maelstrom of misinformation. Brands and reputations will be built on providing genuine, authentic answers.
In a world where “what” is said is so easily manipulated, “who” said it becomes increasingly important.
Startup Costs: $2,000 - $10,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Franchises Available? Yes
Online Operation? Yes
Considering the many red-tape barriers and all the issues surrounding importing products into this country, or exporting products out of this country, it's no wonder that so many businesses don't know where to start and just plain provide up out of frustration. Of course, the smart business owners who don't want to miss a single opportunity to grow their businesses and revenues don't provide up. Instead, they hire an import/export specialist to guide them through the complex issues of the import/export business'legal, transportation, warehousing, distribution, marketing, employment, environmental, political and financial. Starting an import/export consulting business will require experience in the industry, or the willingness to learn about the industry. One simple way to market your services is to develop and host a free informational seminar on importing and exporting and use the event to sign up businesses and individuals who want to get started in import and export.
We've now closed our evidence search service.
We’ve taken this decision after reviewing the wide range of services we currently provide, so we can focus on delivering the priorities outlined in our 5-year strategy.
If you’ve any queries, please contact nice@nice.org.uk.
Other services you can still use
NHS OpenAthens
You can access a range of bibliographical databases with your NHS OpenAthens account. Sign in to see what you can access.
You can access bibliographic databases from the providers' websites. For example:
Health Education England provides links to these databases and materials to help you search effectively.
You will need to sign in to the databases with your NHS OpenAthens account.
NHS Knowledge and Library Hub
Visit Health Education England’s NHS Knowledge and Library Hub for:
- A single search of all the knowledge and library resources available to you, whether purchased nationally or locally.
- Links to database provider websites for advanced literature searching.
- A browsable list of all the journals you can access.
- A list of all resources purchased nationally for the NHS in England.
You'll need to sign in with your NHS OpenAthens account to access the resources.
Help and support
For help and support using the resources listed here, or for further information, contact your local healthcare library. You can find details in the Health Library and Information Service Directory.
Digital Pedagogy & Scholarship at Bucknell
Digital Pedagogy & Scholarship partners with faculty to drive the effective integration of technology to enhance teaching, learning and research. Housed in Bertrand Library, Digital Pedagogy & Scholarship works with faculty to identify and support digital tools for specialized course or research projects and supports student use of technology through in-class training, peer technology and multimedia consulting.
As a Visitor Information Specialist Volunteer, you will engage with visitors and inspire them to plan memorable and exciting experiences across the Smithsonian. Volunteers provide essential services to the Smithsonian by providing a warm welcome and useful information to our visitors about Smithsonian exhibitions, activities, services, and more. If you’re looking for a volunteer role that allows you to meet people from around the world, learn about new and exciting things happening at the Smithsonian, and be at the center of the action, this position is for you!
Qualifications
Dynamic and friendly individuals 18 years or older who have a desire to talk with visitors and share their enthusiasm for the Smithsonian and all that it has to offer. Also looking for people who...
- show excellent customer service skills
- are approachable and outgoing
- enjoy working with diverse people
- have strong computer skills
- Foreign-language skills are a plus.
Applicants must be able to volunteer for a minimum of one year, once a week or once every other weekend. Regular shift times are 4 hours in length.
Locations
Visitor Information certified serve at Information Desks across the Smithsonian, including:
Training
Training is provided for all Visitor Information certified through the Office of Visitor Services and is a prerequisite to service. Training for the next class of Visitor Information certified will begin in March 2023.
Placement Process
We are now accepting applications for this assignment!
- Complete an online application
- Interview with a staff member to ensure mutual fit
- Receive tentative placement and initiate a background check
- Attend and complete online and in-person training
- Start volunteering!
Start the process and apply today!
More Information
Please contact Abbey Earich at EarichA@si.edu with questions about this volunteer assignment.
Founded in 1873, the University of North Georgia (UNG) has a legacy of producing outstanding civic, professional and military leaders who serve our communities throughout Georgia and beyond.
UNG President Bonita Jacobs has announced her plans to retire at the end of June 2023, and the University System of Georgia Board of Regents has begun the search for UNG’s next president. The university will add information and updates about the search process to this site as the search progresses.
Establishing Connection...
COPS have called in a specialist team of divers who have specialist sonar equipment to help search the river near where Nicola Bulley vanished.
The dog walker, 45, disappeared after dropping her children off at school in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, on Friday January 27.
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Since then there has been no trace of the mum-of-two, leaving her family in agony.
Cops this week revealed their "main working hypothesis" was that Nicola had "sadly fallen" into the icy River Wyre.
And now a private specialist diving group revealed they are on the way to search the water.
Specialist Group International (SGI) offered to help Lancashire Police days ago but the force refused, they claim.
Now, cops announced the group WILL help in the hunt for Nicola.
A post on SGI's Facebook page read: “I have just had a long call with the Lancashire Police search adviser to discuss the search for Nicola.
“We will work closely with the police search teams who are working long hours to find Nicola.
“The team are leaving shortly from our base in Dorking on route to Lancashire to start tomorrow morning.”
The team will be using a high-spec sonar "which can see every stick and stone lying on the riverbed".
CGI boss Mr Faulding said the company's £55,000 side-scan sonar has a high frequency of 1,800 kilohertz - meaning it will be able to examine every area.
Earlier this week, SGI claimed they contacted the police and offered to help, but their offer was denied.
SGI blasted at the time: “Unfortunately, Lancashire police have responded via the family declining my offer saying they will continue with their own river searches using their current resources.”
But in a statement last night, Lancashire Police announced a U-turn.
The force said: "SGI have reached out to the family and offered to assist in the search for Nicola. Lancashire Police have already liaised with them.
"They will deploy under the direction of Lancashire Police and will join an already large, multi-agency search operation involving a wide variety of search assets and resources.
"Their capability will overlay what has already been, and continues to be completed, in order to provide extra search coverage along what is an extremely challenging environment to search."
Yesterday, Mr Faulding branded the Nicola probe "a mess" as crucial evidence may have been missed.
He also slammed the cops for not closing off the area where Nicola vanished, saying they were too quick to assume there were no suspicious circumstances.
It comes after the first CCTV images of missing mum Nicola Bulley on the day she vanished were released.
Snaps from Nicola's own Ring Doorbell show her loading her car outside her home just hours before she went missing on a riverside walk.
She is seen on security footage wearing a long dark coat, leggings and ankle boots with her hair tied in a ponytail.
She then hops into her Mercedes 4x4 before taking off on the school run to drop off her two daughters.
A friend of Nicola released the CCTV footage in a bid to find her.
It comes as another friend begged the public to keep their minds open about the cause of her disappearance.
Leanne Grace wrote on Facebook: “I’m about to watch the sunset on another day.
“The hours are passing so slowly yet have somehow turned to days and now over week. Every day is getting harder for your friends and family and our hearts break a little more.
“Trying to carry on with everyday life just doesn’t feel right.
"We will not provide up on you Nicola. Please keep searching everyone.
“Despite the police hypothesis that Nicola may have fallen into the water, please be aware that there is no evidence to back this up.
“There are still other avenues that have not yet been explored.
"If anyone has any information please contact the police immediately, no matter how small or insignificant you may think it is.
"Nikki has to be out there. Please help to get her home to her family. We love you Nik.”
On the day she went missing the mum-of-two was wearing an ankle-length black quilted gilet jacket, a black Engelbert Strauss waist-length coat which was worn underneath the gilet, tight-fitting black jeans, long green walking socks tucked into her jeans, ankle-length green Next wellies, a necklace and a pale blue Fitbit.
