Protecting your investment

What is title insurance?

Title insurance protects real estate owners and lenders against property loss or damage due to specific claims from defects of title that occurred in the PAST.

What is title?

Title is simply the evidence of ownership of a piece of property. Deeds are used to transfer title of a property.

What are some examples of defects of title?

  • Defective documents created by

    • improper or expired notarization

    • improper recording

    • a false or expired Power of Attorney

    • false marital status representation

    • forgery

    • deeds by minors

    • someone who was mentally incompetent

  • Claims to Ownership

    • by former owner or a child of a former owner

    • false impersonation of a land owner

    • rights of divorced parties

  • Creditor Claims / Liens Against Property

    • from sellers unpaid mortgages

    • previous owner liens

      • mechanics liens

      • tax liens

      • child support liens

      • etc.

What kinds of title insurance are available?

  • Lender’s Insurance - usually required with a mortgage

    • benefits the lender

    • insures the priority of the lender’s security interest

    • NO benefit to the buyer

  • Owner’s Insurance

    • benefits the buyer

What are some standard exceptions on a title policy?

  • Public Record Documents

    • easements

    • rights of way

    • etc

  • Restrictive Covenants

    • often found in subdivisions

  • Limitations on land use due to laws

How much does title insurance cost?

  • IT IS A ONE TIME PAYMENT

  • You will be provided an EXACT QUOTE in you buyer’s intro packet

  • You may also call our office for an EXACT QOUTE

  • Varies by

    • type of policy

    • policy amount

    • number of policies issued