What is Homeowners Title Insurance?

Homeowner’s title insurance is a type of insurance policy that protects homeowners and lenders from financial loss due to defects in the title of a property. A title defect could arise due to a number of reasons, such as fraudulent transfers, errors in public records, undisclosed heirs, or improperly recorded legal documents.

Title insurance provides coverage for losses or damages resulting from title defects, up to the policy limit. It can also cover the cost of legal defense against a title claim.

When purchasing a home, a title search is conducted to determine if the seller has the legal right to sell the property and if there are any existing liens or encumbrances on the property. Title insurance is typically purchased at the time of closing to protect the homeowner and lender from any undiscovered defects in the title that may arise later.

Homeowner’s title insurance is different from other types of insurance policies, such as homeowner’s insurance or mortgage insurance, which provide protection for property damage or default on mortgage payments, respectively.

How does title insurance work?

Title work is the process of conducting a comprehensive search of public records to determine the legal ownership and status of a piece of real estate. Here are the basic steps involved in the title work process:

1. Title search: The first step in title work is to conduct a thorough search of public records to gather information about the property’s ownership history, liens, mortgages, judgments, and other encumbrances.
2. Examination: Once the title search is complete, a title examiner will review the findings to identify any potential issues or defects in the title that could affect the property’s ownership. This may involve reviewing deeds, court documents, and other legal records.
3. Clearing title issues: If any issues or defects are identified during the title examination, the parties involved in the real estate transaction will need to take steps to clear the title. This may involve paying off outstanding liens, resolving disputes with previous owners, or addressing other legal issues.
4. Title insurance: Once the title examination is complete and any issues have been resolved, the parties involved in the real estate transaction will typically purchase title insurance to protect against any unforeseen title defects that may arise in the future.
5. Closing: Finally, the parties will proceed with the real estate closing, which involves signing all necessary legal documents and transferring ownership of the property from the seller to the buyer.

The title work process is critical for ensuring that real estate transactions are legally valid and that the parties involved have clear and marketable title to the property. It helps to protect against potential legal disputes or financial losses related to ownership issues that could arise in the future.

Owner’s vs lender’s title insurance

Owner’s title insurance and lender’s title insurance are two different types of title insurance policies that serve different purposes and cover different parties.

Owner’s title insurance is designed to protect the homebuyer’s investment in the property. It provides coverage against losses resulting from undiscovered title defects, such as liens, encumbrances, or ownership disputes, that may arise after the purchase of the property. Owner’s title insurance is typically optional, but highly recommended to protect the buyer’s investment in the property.

On the other hand, lender’s title insurance is designed to protect the lender’s interest in the property. It provides coverage against losses resulting from undiscovered title defects that may affect the lender’s ability to foreclose on the property and recoup its investment in the event of a default. Lender’s title insurance is usually required by lenders as a condition of obtaining a mortgage loan.

Both owner’s title insurance and lender’s title insurance are typically obtained at the same time, during the homebuying process, and the cost of the policies are usually paid for by different parties. The buyer typically pays for the owner’s title insurance policy, while the seller or the buyer may pay for the lender’s title insurance policy, depending on the customs and agreements in the specific area.

Do I need lender’s insurance?

In short, Yes. In most cases, lenders will require borrowers to purchase lender’s title insurance as a condition of obtaining a mortgage loan. This is because the lender wants to protect its investment in the property and ensure that its lien on the property is valid and enforceable.

Lender’s title insurance only protects the lender, however, and does not provide any coverage or protection for the borrower. If you want to protect your own interests as a homeowner, you would need to purchase a separate homeowner’s title insurance policy.

Do I need owner’s title insurance?

As a homeowner, it is highly recommended that you purchase owner’s title insurance to protect your investment in the property.

When you purchase a home, you receive legal ownership of the property, which is represented by the title. The title is a legal document that outlines who owns the property and any liens or encumbrances on the property. However, there is always a possibility that there may be undiscovered issues with the title, such as a previous owner failing to pay property taxes, a boundary dispute, or an undisclosed heir to the property.

Owner’s title insurance provides protection for homeowners against financial loss due to title defects, errors or omissions, or legal challenges to the title. The policy covers the cost of defending against a title claim, as well as any losses or damages that may arise as a result of a covered title issue.

While owner’s title insurance is typically optional, without title insurance you may have to pay for legal fees, court costs, and any settlement or judgment amounts that may result from a title dispute. This can be a significant financial burden and may even lead to the loss of your home.

Do I need title insurance for a brand-new home?

Yes, it is generally recommended to obtain title insurance for a brand-new home, even though the property is newly constructed. This is because even though the home may be new, there could still be issues with the title to the property and/or the land that could result in financial losses or legal disputes down the line. For example, there may be liens, easements, or other encumbrances on the property that were not discovered during the title search, or there could be issues related to the chain of title that could affect your ownership of the property.

What is not covered by title insurance?

While title insurance provides valuable protection against many types of title defects, there are some types of issues that are typically not covered by title insurance policies. These can include:

1. Environmental hazards: Title insurance typically does not provide coverage for environmental hazards or contamination that may be discovered on the property after the purchase.
2. Zoning and building code violations: Title insurance policies generally do not provide coverage for violations of zoning or building codes that may be discovered after the purchase of the property.
3. Mineral rights: Some title insurance policies do not cover mineral rights, which may be owned by another party, unless additional coverage is purchased.
4. Easements and other property rights: Certain types of property rights, such as easements or rights of way, may not be covered by title insurance if they were not properly recorded or if they were not discovered during the title search.
5. Boundary disputes: Unless a property survey is done, some title insurance policies may not provide coverage for boundary disputes or any other legal disputes that arise after the purchase of the property.

How long is the title policy good for?

A title insurance policy will typically protect you for as long as you own the property. The policy provides coverage for any covered title defects that may arise during your ownership of the property, even if the issue was not discovered until after the policy was issued. This is in contrast to other types of insurance policies, which typically provide coverage only for a set period of time, such as one year or five years.

How much does title insurance cost?

The cost of title insurance can vary depending on several factors, including the location of the property, the purchase price of the property, and the insurance company providing the coverage.

In general, title insurance costs are based on the purchase price of the property. The cost of a policy is typically a one-time fee paid at closing and can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

The average cost of title insurance in the United States can vary from a few hundred dollars to 1% of the purchase price of the property. For example, if you purchase a $500,000 home, you can expect to pay up to $5,000 for title insurance. Title insurance rates are regulated by state insurance departments, so the cost can vary depending on where you live.

Can I get title insurance after I purchase my home?

If you have already closed on a real estate transaction and did not purchase title insurance at that time, you may still be able to purchase a title insurance policy at a later time. This is known as a “retrospective” or “back” title insurance policy.

A retrospective policy provides coverage for title issues that existed prior to the purchase of the policy but were not known at the time of purchase. However, retrospective policies may have more limited coverage and may be more expensive than a standard title insurance policy.

Not all title insurance companies offer retrospective policies, and the availability, terms, and cost of such policies can vary widely depending on the company and the specific circumstances of your case.

Bottom line

Title insurance is an important form of protection for homebuyers and mortgage lenders that can help safeguard against financial losses or legal disputes related to the ownership of real estate. Title insurance policies provide coverage for a wide range of title defects, such as errors or omissions in public records, forged or fraudulent documents, undisclosed heirs or previous owners, and other issues that could affect your ownership of the property.

Lender’s insurance will be required every time you obtain a new mortgage, during a refinance for example. Owner’s insurance is a one-time cost at the time of home purchase. While owner’s title insurance is not required, it is strongly recommended for most real estate transactions to protect your investment in the property and avoid potential financial losses and legal disputes in the future.

When purchasing title insurance, it is important to work with a reputable title insurance provider and carefully review the terms and limitations of your policy to understand exactly what is and is not covered. It is a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from different title insurance companies to ensure that you are getting the best rate for your specific situation. If you have any questions or concerns about your policy, be sure to discuss them with your title insurance provider or real estate attorney.

Please reach out to me for any additional guidance at 312-296-4175 or email me at connect@borislending.com. I lend in all 50 states and I am never too busy for your referrals!!