Title is your legal ownership interest in real estate. A title search reviews public records for issues such as liens or competing claims. Title insurance protects a lender or owner against certain covered title defects that existed before the policy date.
Why it matters
A clean-looking home can still have ownership, lien, boundary, or recording issues. Title work helps identify and address many of them before closing.
A prior lien that was paid but never properly released could appear in the search. The title and escrow teams work to resolve it before ownership transfers.
What to remember
- ✓A lender’s policy protects the lender; an owner’s policy protects the owner subject to its terms.
- ✓Coverage and exclusions are listed in the policy and preliminary report.
- ✓Title insurance is different from homeowners insurance.
- ✓Review names, vesting, exceptions, and property description carefully.
I’ll help you know which title documents deserve questions and who can provide the authoritative answer.
This guide is for education, not a loan quote or legal, tax, insurance, or financial advice. Eligibility and transaction details vary. Confirm your options with the appropriate licensed professional.