Purchasing your own home or property is not as easy as paying the cost and getting the title, and then you’re done. Sometimes, they are problems that arise afterwards, such as problems with the home title. Problems with the home title limits your enjoyment for the property bought and will cause financial loss. So what should we do to limit these risks? This is where title insurance will be used. In purchasing new property, it is recommended that buyers also purchase an owner’s policy of title insurance.
Title insurance is a policy which is developed to protect homeowners and or lenders from financial loss in case certain events of problems happen regarding the rights of ownership of a property.
Title insurance has two types, the lender’s and the owner’s policy. Let us understand the owner’s policy, particularly the home owner’s title insurance.
After a sales contract has been accepted and arranged, a title professional will do a search of public records to search for possible problems; this process is called the title search. The title search typically involves, such as, looking if previous owners had repairs of the property with a contractor and is not yet fully paid, or there are local or state taxes failed to meet. Title professionals seek to resolve these problems before closing. When already closed, sometimes even with a most careful title check, there are hidden title defects or missed public records which are reveled later after moving in to the property. So, to protect the owners, a home owner’s title insurance insures you to these unforeseen problems.
How does an owner purchase his/her owner’s policy or title insurance, how will be it be cost and what are covered?
The owner’s policy is needed to be requested before closing because it is not an automatic part of the closing process. It is a one-time fee paid on closing which will provide complete coverage for a long as you own the property. With the exact amount of the policy cost, we cannot really tell until you engage in purchasing your own. It actually varies from country to country; better to do, ask your legal counsel about how it should be paid.
Possible problems or defects that may arise which are covered by the home owner’s title insurance include:
- Appearance of undisclosed heirs of the property claiming their interest in the property
- Incorrect or mistakes in recording legal descriptions
- Omissions, forgery or impersonations of deeds
Purchasing title insurance gives home owner’s assurance that their title company will stand behind them, monetarily and with legal defense, if a problem arises and are covered with the policy. The owner’s title insurance isn’t really a guarantee for the property to be good, clear title, and is never a substitute for a competent title examination; rather than a claim for your title company to help you pay valid claims and cover costs in defending an attack of your title.
















