What is Title?
Title refers to the right of ownership or ownership rights to a piece of property or real estate. In the context of real estate transactions, title refers to the legal documentation that proves who the owner of a property is and provides evidence of the ownership rights and privileges associated with the property.
Title Insurance
There can be many unexpected twists and turns when investigating the title for a new home prior to finalizing a sale. Protecting the significant investment about to be made is possible through the title insurance services provided by Old Republic Title and First American through Ratified Title Group. Without this protection, considerable risk is taken on by any new homeowner. Although optional, title insurance is a must for making a home purchase enjoyable and stress-free.
Homebuyer Peace of Mind
Title insurance is a one-time cost added at the home’s closing designed to protect lenders and homeowners from losing their financial investment on the title. Lenders typically will take out their own policy to cover their risk. This policy doesn’t cover the homebuyer and a separate policy must be used.
What exactly can happen that title insurance protects against? A handful of possible title issues that can happen after a home sale are:
- Someone claiming an ownership interest in the title
- Leases, contract, or options affecting the title
- Someone claiming to have rights affecting your title due to forgery or impersonation
- Someone having a right to limit your use of the land
- Unmarketability of your title
- A defective title
PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT
Homeowner’s policies will automatically increase by 10% in value each year for the first five years to help cover increases due to inflation. This goes until 150% of the original policy amount. Additional coverage options are also available through an expanded package.