What Does a Title Agency Do?
Crossland Title, Inc
A title company makes sure that the title to a piece of real estate is legitimate. Also, they then issue title insurance for that property. Title insurance protects the lender and/or owner against lawsuits. Also, claims against the property that results from disputes over the title.
Title companies also often maintain escrow accounts. These contain the funds needed to close on the home. This is to ensure that this money is only used for settlement and closing costs. Also, it may conduct the formal closing on the home. At the closing, a settlement agent from the title company will bring all the necessary documentation. They will explain it to the parties, collect closing costs, and distribute monies. The title company will ensure that the new titles, deeds, and other documents filed with the appropriate entities.
Here’s what potential home buyers need to know about title insurance.
How Does a Title Company Determine That a Title is Valid?
The title company makes sure a property title is legitimate. The buyer will be confident that once he buys a property, he is the rightful owner of the property. It’s imperative to ensure that the title is valid. The title company will do a title search. This is a thorough examination of property records. This is to make sure that the person or company claiming to own the property does, in fact, legally own the property. Also, that no one else could claim full or partial ownership of the property.
During the title search, the title company also looks for any outstanding mortgages. Also, liens, judgments, or unpaid taxes associated with the property. As well as any restrictions, easements, leases, or other issues that might impact ownership. The title company may also need a property survey. This determines the boundaries of the plot of land that a home sits on. Whether the home sits within those boundaries. Also, any encroachments on the property by neighbors and any easements that may impact an ownership claim.
Before a title company issues title insurance, it will prepare an abstract of the title. This is a short summary of what it found during the title search (this is the history of the ownership of the property). Then, it will issue a title opinion letter, which is a legal document that speaks to the validity of the title.
