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Luca Ferrari
The fixture filing piece is important - don't forget that if you need fixture filings in Michigan, those go to the county recorder where the property is located, not the Michigan Secretary of State. Different process entirely.
GalaxyGlider
•Thanks for the reminder. I'll need to identify exactly which equipment qualifies as fixtures under Michigan law before deciding on the filing approach.
Luca Ferrari
•Smart approach. The fixture analysis can be tricky but it's critical to get right for proper perfection.
Nia Wilson
sounds like you've got good advice here. Main thing is don't let the Canadian stuff confuse the UCC requirements. stick to the basics - right debtor name from Ohio records, proper collateral description, correct filing office. You'll be fine.
GalaxyGlider
•Appreciate all the help everyone. Feeling much more confident about moving forward with this filing now.
Nia Wilson
•Good luck with it! These deals can be complex but the UCC side is usually straightforward once you focus on the right details.
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Make sure you also consider the timing of your filing. If this is for an SBA loan or similar, the bank might have specific requirements about when the UCC-1 needs to be filed relative to the loan closing.
Aisha Khan
•Some lenders want the UCC-1 filed and confirmed before they'll release funds. Others are more flexible. Definitely worth clarifying.
Ethan Taylor
•Also remember that UCC-1 filings are effective for 5 years, so if your loan term is longer you'll need to file a continuation statement before it lapses.
Yuki Ito
One last thing - keep copies of everything! Your filed UCC-1, the confirmation from the Secretary of State, and all supporting documents. You'll need these for any future amendments or when you eventually file the termination statement.
NC provides good online access to filed documents, but having your own copies is always smart.
Andre Dupont
•Also make sure your secured party information is correct - that's just as important as getting the debtor name right.
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One last tip - ask your lender for a copy of the filed UCC-1 for your records. You'll want to keep track of the filing number and date in case you need to reference it later. Also helps when the loan is paid off to make sure they file the termination properly.
Good point about the termination. I've heard horror stories about lenders forgetting to file UCC-3 terminations after loans are paid off.
Yeah, that can cause problems if you try to sell the equipment or get another loan later. Always follow up to make sure the termination gets filed.
Bottom line - the UCC-1 protects your lender, which protects their willingness to lend to you at reasonable rates. It's actually in your interest that they can secure their loans properly. Without the UCC system, business lending would be much more expensive and risky.
Never thought about it that way but you're right - secured loans definitely have better rates than unsecured ones.
Exactly. The UCC filing system makes business lending more efficient, which benefits borrowers through better rates and terms.
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Another option if you're really unsure - contact the secured parties listed on the questionable filings directly. Most lenders will confirm whether a specific debtor is actually their borrower, especially if you explain you're doing due diligence for a potential transaction.
Lara Woods
•That's not a bad idea for the most concerning results. At least for the larger lien amounts where we really need certainty.
Just be prepared that some lenders won't give you information without proper authorization. But it's worth trying.
Isaac Wright
Had a colleague mention they started using some automated verification service for this stuff - I think it was Certana.ai or something similar. Apparently you just upload your borrower's charter documents and any questionable UCC results, and it flags which ones are likely matches vs false positives. Might be worth looking into if you're doing a lot of Texas deals.
Maya Diaz
•I've heard good things about that approach. Anything that reduces manual document comparison time is valuable in this business.
Tami Morgan
•The automated tools are getting pretty sophisticated. As long as they're not making the final legal determination, they can definitely speed up the initial screening process.
Klaus Schmidt
Try calling the SOS filing office. Sometimes they can give you specific guidance on what went wrong with your particular filing. Not all states are helpful but it's worth a shot.
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Lena Kowalski
•I thought about calling but wasn't sure if they'd be able to help with specific rejections. Might be worth trying before I file again. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Aisha Patel
•Some states are better than others about phone support. Can't hurt to try - worst case they can't help and you're back where you started.
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LilMama23
UPDATE: Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! Turns out it was the comma issue - filed without the comma before LLC and it went through immediately. Also tried that Certana.ai tool someone mentioned and it's actually pretty helpful for double-checking document consistency. Wish I'd known about these quirks before the first rejection but at least the deal is moving forward now.
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Gabrielle Dubois
•Great news! Always satisfying when you finally crack the code on these rejection issues. Thanks for updating the thread - helpful for others who might hit the same problem.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
•Awesome that Certana worked out for you! It's been a game-changer for me on these document consistency checks. Saves so much time and hassle with rejections.
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