L9-L10: Title, Deeds & Ownership Restriction + Legal Descriptions Flashcards
Title
The actual ownership of a real property
It’s an abstract concept, the bundle of rights
Deed
The legal physical document the transfers real estate title from one party to another
Conveys present interest during the lifetime of the grantor
Conveyance
Tool that transfers a grantor’s interest in real property
What are the two parties in a deed and their requirements?
1) Grantor (Who conveys the property)
Minimum 18 years old and fit to enter a contract
2) grantee (receives the conveyance)
Identified by name and alive
(Title) Alienation (and 2 types)
The transfer of title (ownership) of a real property
Can be:
A) voluntary (sale or gift)
B) involuntary (without owners consent, normally by operation of law)
Types of Involuntary Transfer of Title
4
1) Eminent Domain (right the government has to seize private property for public use. Pays just compensation)
—> condemnation/appropriation = action of acquiring through eminent domain
2) Foreclosure (property sold to pay debt)
3) Escheat (transfer of ownership interest to state without consent when owner dies without heir/next of kin)
4) Adverse Possession (title is transferred to someone that claims the land and takes possession; when owner doesn’t use/inspect it)
—> possession must be open, notorious and hostile, minimum 7 years of use
3 ways in which government can have land-use control
PET
1) Police Power = regulate and restrict land used to protect the public (zoning, building codes, subdivisions, etc.)
2) Eminent Domain (through the process of condemnation)
3) Taxation on Real Estate
Types of Voluntary Transfer of Title
4
1) Private Grant (sale or gift)
2) Dedication (voluntary gift to the public)
3) Public Grant (government-owned land to an individual)
4) Devise and descent (transfer through a will)
Elements of a valid deed (8)
- competent grantor
– name of grantee
– granting clause (a.k.a. words of conveyance), what and to whom - consideration (something of value, ie. promises, goods, services & money, to be exchanged for the property)
– legal description of the real estate
– habendum clause (defines & limits ownership, ex. type of a state)
—> can show limitations, reservations, exceptions & encumbrances - signature of grantor (+ acknowledgment)
– delivery and acceptance (+ recording of deed if wished)
Covenants and main types (5)
Covenants are a type of protection for grantees that may be included in certain types of deeds
AKA, warrants, warranties and guarantees
Types: Present A) covenant of Seisin (grantor is the owner) B) Covenant Against Encumbrances (liens free) Future C) Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment D) Covenant of Further Assurance E) Covenant of Warranty Forever
4 Main types of deeds
1) General Warranty Deed (provides the most protection & has all protective covenants), “I own & can vouch”.
2) Special Warranty Deed (protects against defects occurred while grantor held title), “I own & can vouch for the time I owned “
3) Bargain and Sale Deed (no warranties, only covenant of ownership), “ I own but can’t guarantee” - NB: most lenders won’t fund mortgages w this type of deed
4) Quit Claim Deed (conveys interest at the time of execution), “I’m conveying my ownership to you whatever if any it may be“ - NB: commonly used to correct a title defect ex. spelling or description
Further insurance and warranty forever
Titles
Further assurance = protection in which grantor assurance that they will sign and deliver any conveyance tool that might be needed in the future to obtain clear title
Warranty forever = protection in which grantor promises to defend the grantee’s title against any legal claim and promises to do so forever
Special Circumstances Deeds
- Personal representative deed (title to property of a deceased)
- Guardian’s deed (court-appointed rep acting on behalf of minor)
- Committee’s deed (grantor is declared mentally incompetent)
- Tax deed (in case of foreclosure to recoup unpaid real estate taxes)
Will
Instrument made by an individual to voluntarily convey title to their property after their death
Presents no interest in the property until death of testator
Intestate
Condition when person dies without leaving a valid will
Testate
Condition when person dies & has prepared a will
Hereditament
Any property (real or personal) that can be inherited
Testator
Person who dies & leaves a will
Heirs
Beneficiaries of a will
Legatee = receives personal property
Devisee = receives real property
Descent & Distribution
Order of distribution when person dies interstate (spouse, children, parents, siblings)
NB: creditors and lienors get paid first, if applicable
Equitable Title VS Marketable Title
Equitable Title = Ownership of interest created by a financial institution through lien or buyer
Marketable Title = title free of significant encumbrances or defects
Title Search
Thorough examination of public records to determine ownership and possible defects
Chain of title
Entire chronological record of a property‘s ownership
Gap in the chain of title = cloud on the title
Remove cloud = suit to quiet title