"Hard to conceive of someone not reviewing the deed at the beginning of the application process"

In the past year I've seen more than a fair share of "got thru the processing, underwriting and closing depts." real estate transactions where the wrong deed or useless recording was picked up and there weren't any legal eagle eyes around to notice and speak up until it hit a law firm desk.

Simple examples:  This deed is for 10% of the real property; my question: who owns the other 90%?  This deed has a life use; reply: she's dead, ignore it.  This isn't a "deed," it's a tax certificate with a legal description; reply: it's the same thing, isn't it?  The lastest:  mortgage commitment issued with the closing attorney as the borrower.

If all else, keep your sense of humor.  Sanity is lost.