Unit 6: Transfer + Recording of Title Flashcards
What is title insurance?
Protects buyers and lenders against financial loss. Provides clear and marketable title
What is the lender’s policy?
Offers protection worth amount of mortgage loan balance
What happens in the event of a claim?
Title company will pay debt, or take claimant to court. If title company pays debt, it’ll seek reimbursement from who caused loss
What does a title insurance policy exception include?
Claims made by person leasing property, mechanic/other liens filed after policy issued, disclosed + undisclosed easement and right of way, taxes, and special assessments
What does a title insurance company do?
Perform public record search in attempt to discover potential claims against property
What is a title abstract (abstract of title)?
Summary of property’s title history. Attorney and title companies who prepare abstract use public records to identify title history
What is the chain of title?
Establishes path of property ownership from first to current owner
What is a cloud of title?
Any encumbrance that prevents seller from a clear and marketable title
How can a foreclosure/inheritance claim be solved?
Having owner sign quitclaim deed, which release any claim they have on property
How can a cloud be resolved?
Through quiet title suit, owner goes to court to remove claims on property
What are the 5 common title issues?
Errors in public records, missing heirs, forgeries, unknown liens, survey/boundary issues, conflicting wills
When should a licensee encourage a buyer to opt for owner’s extended title coverage for all distressed property sales?
Properties may not be in ideal conditions, unpaid taxes, liens/encumbrance require resolution, more complicated transaction paperwork, need for additional experts ($$), individual state redemption process permit previous owners to take property back, closing can be lengthy
Title issues with REO:
Reverts to lender due to foreclosed sale, may be subject to buyer’s right of redemption, title issues are less common, closing may be lengthy
What is a deed?
Written and signed legal instrument of conveyance. Establishes proof of ownership and document that legally transfers (convey) title to real property
What is voluntary alienation?
When property is willingly sold or conveyed
What is involuntary alienation?
When property is seized by court order or foreclosure
What are the essential elements of a deed?
Is specifically named and identified, includes grantee name, act of conveyance, named consideration, legal description, any limitation/subject to clauses, Habendum clause, and grantor signature
What does the act of conveyance start with?
” does hereby bargain, grant, deed, and convey”