Title Search
Definition of "Title search"
A home seller and a home buyer agreed upon a fair market value and the deal is off to closing the sale. One of the next steps is running a title search.
But what is a title search?
The best title search definition would be something like an investigation concerning the title records of a property as a way to assert its legal ownership. A process of reviewing public court records and other documents to ensure there are no liens, claims or restrictions recorded against the property in question and the home seller has the right to sell the home for the home buyer. Any deficiency of title – including mortgages, and encumbrances – are checked on this beginning stage of a closing called “title search”.
Usually performed by a title company, a title search is crucial, however, having it doesn’t exclude the importance of also having title insurance. And the explanation behind that thinking is simple: while title search has the mission of uncovering all mentioned above, there might be liens deeply hidden, document errors or even liens that are still in process of becoming a lien, although the action that will ultimately cause the lien has already taken place. So, title insurance helps the home buyer to overlook the problem and have the insurance company deal with it financially. One can do the title search by him or herself but it’s not the best idea; navigating through boring complicated documents and finding your way around the courthouse can be confusing, and you want the title search to be the clearest possible. One slight overlook can lead to you buying a house with a lien and/or other problems.
Plus, the fact is that during closing a home buyer is trying to find negative points that can reduce a little bit of the price of the house. When the preliminary report comes, you can try to make the sale contingent to the home seller fixing whatever issues the house has before they become your problem. Note: it’s important, however, to include your real estate agent and maybe even a real estate lawyer on this discussion because it’s not every issue that can lead to a reduction or even a withdrawal from the negotiation.
Real Estate Advice:
Buying a home without a title search is crazy! Doing a title search without finding a real estate agent to guide you through is even crazier; find one now!
Popular Real Estate Terms
individual who purchases property for another for the purpose of not identifying to the seller and other interested parties the real identity of the true acquirer. The individual who makes ...
An deir to an individual who died intestate and is entitled, under the distribution statute, to a portion of its proceeds. After all claims against the estate are satisfied, the ...
Fence constructed at the property line or other division point separating a subdivision or a home site. It marks the point of separation between two separate properties. ...
Rate of return of capital invested in building improvements. Is segregated from land investments and provides a method of separating property income streams between improvement and land ...
Fee charged by a public registry for the administrative costs of recording an instrument. For example, a municipal registry charges $30 to record a property mortgage. ...
Amount the taxpayer gets back when he or she files the tax return at the end of the reporting year because taxes were overpaid for that year. The tax overpayment equals the tax payments ...
Provision in a mortgage permitting the owner of property to transfer the mortgage to a buyer. ...
The seller disclosure is a statement made in good faith regarding the condition of the home he/she is trying to sell. There is a seller disclosure form – called “Form 17” ...
Registered real estate broker who charge a flat fee, rather than a commission, for real estate purchase and sale transactions regardless of the property's sale price. No fee is charge if ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.