Title 101

Why You Need Title Insurance

When you purchase your home, how can you be sure that there are no problems with the home’s title and that the seller really owns the property? Problems with the title can limit your use and enjoyment of the property, as well as bring financial loss. That is what a title search and title insurance are for.

The Title Search

After your sales contract has been accepted, a title professional will search the public records to look for any problems with the home’s title. This search typically involves a review of land records going back many years. More than 1/3 of all title searches reveal a title problem that title professionals fix before you go to closing. For instance, a previous owner may have had minor construction done on the property, but never fully paid the contractor. Or the previous owner may have failed to pay local or state taxes (See below for some other common title problems). Title professionals seek to resolve problems like these before you go to closing. What happens if a problem arises after you move in? Read on.

The Owner’s Title Policy

Sometimes title problems occur that could not be found in the public records or are inadvertently missed in the title search process. To help protect you in these events, it is recommended that you obtain an Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance to insure you against the most unforeseen problems.

Owner’s Title Insurance, called an Owner’s Policy, is usually issued in the amount of the real estate purchase. It is purchased for a one-time fee at closing and lasts for as long as you or your heirs have an interest in the property. Only an Owner’s Policy fully protects the buyer should a covered title problem arise with the title that was not found during the title search. Possible hidden title problems can include:

  • Errors or omissions in deeds
  • Mistakes in examining records
  • Forgery
  • Undisclosed heirs

An Owner’s Policy provides assurance that your title company will stand behind you — monetarily and with legal defense if needed — if a covered title problem arises after you buy your home. The bottom line is that your title company will be there to help pay valid claims and cover the costs of defending an attack on your title. Receiving an Owner’s Policy isn’t always an automatic part of the closing process, and is paid for by different people in different parts of the country. Be sure you request an Owner’s Policy and ask how it is paid for where you live. No matter who pays for the Owner’s Policy, the fee is a one-time fee paid at closing. The Owner’s Policy protects you for as long as you or your heirs have an interest in the property.

You also have the option of purchasing a policy with expanded coverage. It’s called the Homeowner’s Policy and it covers more things than the Owner’s Policy. Ask your local title company for an explanation of the expanded Homeowner’s Policy so you can decide which policy is the best one for you.

The Loan Policy

There are two types of title insurance: Owner’s title insurance, as mentioned above, and Lenders title insurance, also called a Loan Policy. Most lenders usually require a Loan Policy when they issue you a loan. The Loan Policy is usually based on the dollar amount of your loan. It only protects the lender’s interests in the property should a problem with the title arise. It does not protect the buyer. The policy amount decreases each year and eventually disappears as the loan is paid off.

Prices vary from state to state. Be sure to ask your settlement or title company about pricing and whether the Loan Policy and Owner’s Policy are sold separately or together.

Common Title Problems

Here are three short stories on some common title problems:

Fraud & Forgery

(NAPS) — Those involved in real estate fraud and forgery can be clever and persistent, which can spell trouble for your home purchase.

In a western state, an innocent buyer purchased an attractive home site through a realty company, accepting a notarized deed from the seller. Then another couple, the true owners of the property — who lived in another locale — suddenly appeared and initiated legal action to prove their interest in the real estate was valid. Under the Owner’s Title Insurance Policy of the innocent buyer, bought for a one-time fee at closing, the title company provided a money settlement to protect against financial loss. As it turned out, the forger spent time in advance at the local court house, searching the public records to locate property with out-of-town owners who had been in possession for an extended period of time. The individual involved then forged and recorded a deed to a fictitious person and assumed the identity of that person before listing the property for sale to an innocent purchaser, handling most contacts through an answering service. Also, the identity of the notary appearing on deeds was fictitious as well.

Fraud and forgery are examples of hidden title hazards that can remain undetected until after a closing despite the most careful precautions. Although emphasizing risk elimination, an Owner’s Policy protects you financially through negotiation by the insurer with third-parties, payment for defending against an attack on the title as insured, and payment of valid claims.

Conflicting Wills

(NAPS) — Conflicts over a will from a deceased former owner may suggest a study topic for law school. But the subject can take on a reality dimension and all too quickly your home ownership is at stake.

After purchasing a residence, the new owner was startled when a brother of the seller claimed an ownership interest and sought a substantial amount of money as his share. It seemed that their late mother had given the house to the son making the challenge, who placed the deed in his drawer without recording it at the court house. Some 20 years later, after the death of the mother, the deed was discovered and then filed. Permission was granted in probate court to remove the property from the late mother’s estate, and the brother to whom the residence initially was given sold the house. But the other brother appealed the probate court decision, claiming their mother really did not intend to give the house to his sibling. Ultimately, the appeal was upheld and the new owner faced a significant financial loss. Since the new owner had acquired an Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance upon purchasing the real estate, the title company paid the claim, along with an additional amount in legal fees incurred during the defense.

Missing Heirs

(NAPS) – When buying a home, it’s important to remember what you don’t know can cost you.

A couple purchased a residence from a widow and her daughter, the only known heirs of the husband and father who died without leaving a will.

Soon after the sale, a man appeared – claiming he was the son of the late owner by a former marriage. As it turned out, he indeed was the son of the deceased man. This legal heir disapproved of his father’s remarriage and had vanished when the wedding took place. Nonetheless, the son was entitled to a share of the value of the home, which meant an expensive problem for the unwary couple purchasing the property.

Although the absence of a will hindered discovery of the missing heir in a title search of the public records, an Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance issued for a one-time fee at the time of the real estate transaction would have financially protected the couple from the claim by the missing heir. For a one-time charge at closing, an Owner’s Policy will safeguard against problems including those even an exhaustive search will not reveal.

An Owner’s Policy is necessary to fully protect a home buyer. Lender’s title insurance, which is usually required by the mortgage lender, serves as protection only for the lending institution.

I’m refinancing, why do I need title insurance?

When you refinance you are obtaining a new loan, even if you stay with your original lender. Your lender will usually require a new title search and Loan Policy to protect their investment in the property. You will not need to purchase a new Owner’s Policy; the one you bought at closing is good for as long as you and your heirs have an interest in the property.

Even if you recently purchased or refinanced your home, there are some problems that could arise with the title. For instance, you might have incurred a mechanics lien from a contractor who claims he/she has not been paid. Or you might have a judgment placed on your house due to unpaid taxes, homeowner dues, or child support for instance. The lender needs reassurance that the title to the property they are financing is clear.

Ask if you qualify for a “refinance” rate, sometimes called a “reissue” rate. These rates are not available in every state, and you might have to meet some criteria to be eligible, so be sure to ask.

I’m buying a newly built home, do I need title insurance?

Construction of a new home raises special title problems for the lender and owner. You may think you are the first owner when constructing a home on a purchased lot. However, there were most likely many prior owners of the unimproved land. A title search will uncover any existing liens and a survey will determine the boundaries of the property being purchased. In addition, a builder may have failed to pay subcontractors and suppliers. This could result in the subcontractor or supplier placing a lien on your property. Again, lenders want to be sure the property has clear title, and they are insuring the correct property. Purchasing an Owner’s Policy will protect you against these potential problems and pay for any legal fees involved in defending a claim.

How To File A Claim

An owner’s policy of title insurance is intended to provide the homeowner with peace of mind about their legal rights to real property.

Whenever the homeowner has any question or concern about his or her rights, he or she should promptly notify the title insurance company whose name appears on his title policy. The title policy includes instructions for contacting the title insurer, usually at the end of the “Conditions and Stipulations” section within the policy.

If you are unable to locate your policy, or are unsure whether you purchased a policy, you should contact the title company, title agent or attorney that handled your purchase and inquire about your coverage. You can determine if you have title insurance coverage by reviewing the settlement statement (“CD”) provided at the closing of your purchase, which itemizes receipts and disbursements by the closing officer. For example, charges for an owner’s policy of title insurance are listed on line 1110 of the standard CD form of settlement statement. Contact information for the title insurer may also be found in telephone directories, on the internet, or by inquiry to your state department of insurance.

When giving notice of a potential claim to the title insurer, you should include the property address, a brief statement of the question or matter that concerns you, copies of any claims documents received, and a copy of your owner’s policy (if available).

Remember, the broad coverage of title insurance includes protection against frivolous claims, or “clouds” on title that may not present an immediate problem. So it’s best to contact the title insurer promptly, as soon as you have any question or concern about your legal rights with insured land.

Closing Process

Closing Process

Let’s start at the very beginning — what does “closing,” “settlement,” or “closing escrow” on your house mean?

Closing – or settlement as it is known in some parts of the country — is a term used for the point in time at which the title to the property is transferred to the buyer and, generally, a mortgage (or “deed of trust”) is given by the buyer/borrower to the lender.

Buying a house is an exciting time and the more you know about the process, the more relaxed you’ll be going through it. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through what the closing process really means.

Some information about the costs associated with closing on your home should be provided to you before you put a contract on a house. If you are obtaining a loan to purchase the property, your lender has three days from the time of the loan application to provide you with a Good Faith Estimate of your loan costs so there are no surprises about costs. Within those three days you should also receive a copy of the booklet, “Buying Your Home,” which outlines the settlement process. If these two things do not occur, talk to your lender.

Once the seller accepts your sales contract, the countdown to closing begins. Timing is essential to make sure all the ingredients for a successful closing are in place for your arrival. You can shop around to select a settlement agent to prepare the documents for your closing, or you can rely on a recommendation from your real estate agent or lender. In some parts of the country, the settlement agent is an attorney, title company, or escrow company. Once a settlement agent has been selected, he or she will handle the closing process from there. If you have given the seller an earnest money deposit, the escrow agent, settlement agent, or real estate broker (this varies based on where you live), will see that it is promptly deposited into an escrow account where the funds are held until the time of closing.

Next, the settlement agent will request preliminary title work. A title professional will search and examine the public records for information related to your home’s title. This provides warnings of title flaws that must be dealt with before the property can change hands. For instance, the previous owner may have failed to pay local or state taxes. Or there may be an outstanding mortgage or judgement on the property. Title professionals work hard to see that such obligations are dealt with and resolve any issues they find well before you go to closing, if possible. If the sales contract calls for a prior mortgage to be paid off, the settlement agent will order payoff figures from the existing lender. If the buyer is assuming the loan, the settlement agent handles that as well. He/she, if directed to do so, also may order property inspections and termite reports. If it is customary in your area, the settlement agent may order a survey.

Finally the settlement agent is ready to prepare the CD Settlement Statement. The CD, as it is referred to, outlines all of the costs for both the buyer and seller associated with the closing..

On closing day, the property will be transferred from the seller to the buyer. In most parts of the country, you will sign a number of documents that will be explained by your settlement agent. Check with your settlement agent for more details on how the closing is conducted in your area. Once all of the signing is done, the house is yours! Congratulations on achieving the American Dream!

You should be generally aware that the behind-the-scenes process continues after the closing. The settlement agent still must forward payment to any prior lender, pay all the other parties who performed services in connection with your closing, pay out any net funds to the seller, and order a final search of the title to your new home before finally recording all the documents needed legally to complete your purchase. But you don’t have to be involved in any of this. Your settlement agent takes care of these post-closing details!

What Is ALTA

What Is ALTA?

The American Land Title Association (ALTA), founded in 1907, is the national trade association and voice of the abstract* and title insurance industry. ALTA members search, review and insure land titles to protect home buyers and mortgage lenders who invest in real estate. ALTA is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Members of the association are in business in most counties across the nation. Nearly all title insurance companies hold ALTA membership, in addition to abstracters* and title agents. Nearly 2,000 title agents, abstracters, and title insurance companies are Active members, ranging from small, one-county operations, to large national title insurers. Associate members of ALTA may include attorneys, builders, developers, lenders, real estate brokers, surveyors, consultants, educational institutions, computer services firms, and related national trade associations.

Protecting Homebuyers

ALTA members advocate safe and efficient transfer of real estate and insist on high standards when searching land title records and preparing insurance documents. The industry seeks to eliminate risk before insuring, which provides the insured with the best possible chance of avoiding land title problems. But, title difficulties can and do occur, and members offer both Owner’s and Lender’s title insurance policies as effective safeguards.

Professionals in the real estate market, as well as the homebuying public, benefit considerably from the commitment to excellence that is routine in the work of ALTA members. Involvement by a title company is often thought of as the catalyst that allows a real estate closing to proceed smoothly until completed.

Reminder and Clarification

LEGAL BULLETIN-NEW JERSEY

NJ-2015-1-LB

TO:                         All New Jersey Policy Issuing Agents

From:                    Legal Department

DATE;                    February 25, 2015

RE:                          REVISED RATE MANUAL and SETTLEMENT CHARGES

The New Jersey Land and Title Insurance Rating Bureau recently obtained approval from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance to revise certain provisions of the Manual of Rates and Changes. Below is a synopsis of the changes approved. The changes apply to all orders received on or after April 1, 2015. Accordingly, the provisions of the February 15, 2015 Rate Manual still govern received prior to April 1, 2015.

Section 3.1.5- Right to impose special Charges

The existing Rate Manual, in Article 3, Section 3.15(c), authorizes an insurer or its agent to impose an additional charge commensurate with the time and effort involved in conduction an extraordinary settlement.  The recently approved amendment to the Section sets forth that the right to impose a special charge arises if the settlement is:1) unusually long or complex: 2) involves the performance of the extensive pre-or post-closing or settlement-related functions: or 3) requires an unusually large number of disbursement checks, wire transfer, or documents to be recorded.

Section 6.1- Settlements with Disbursements

Section 6.1 has been revised to explicitly state the $300.00 settlement fee applies to a settlement that does not exceed 60 minutes in length.  Settlements that exceed this time are subject to an additional charge under Section 6.2.3 (see below)

Section 6.2.3- Settlements with Disbursements- Greater than Normal Length

Section 6.2.3. Has been amended to reiterate that a normal or usual settlement is 60 minutes in length as also set forth in Section 6.1.  For settlements that exceed this length of time, an additional charge of $100.00 per hour (or fraction thereof) is to be added.

Section 6.3- Settlements without Disbursements

As with Section 6.1, Section 6.3 has been revised to explicitly state that the $150.00 settlement fee (attendance without disbursements) applies to a settlement that does not exceed 60 minutes in length.  Settlements that exceed this time are subject to an additional charge under Section 6.4.3 (see below)

Section 6.4.3- Settlements Without Disbursements- Greater than Normal Length

As with Section 6.2.3, Section 6.4.3 has been amended to reiterate that a normal or usual settlement without disbursements is 60 minutes in length as set also forth in Section 6.3.  For settlements that exceed this length of time, an additional charge of $50.00 per hour (or Fraction thereof) is to be added.

Section 6.4.4- Settlements of Greater Than Normal Length; Itemization of Charges

 

This is a new section, which provides that if the insurer or agent conducts a settlement of greater than normal length, the insurer or agent shall provide the applicant, upon request with an itemized list of the time expended by the insurer or agent in connection with the settlement. Specifically setting forth the settlement-related functions performed before and after the occurrence of the settlement itself.

An Illustration: Settlements of Greater Than Normal Length

In Conduction a settlement with disbursements in the agent’s office during regular business hours, an agent spends one hour at the settlement table, which is preceded buy one hour spent settlement-related functions. The total settlement charge is $400.00, computed as follows: $300.00 for the time spent at the settlement table ( in accordance with Section 6.1) AND $100.00 for the settlement-related functions before the occurrence of the settlement ( in accordance with Section 6.2.3.)

Bear in mind that the baseline charges for settlements remain the same. These revisions solely affect the definition and calculation of settlements of greater than normal length.

LEGAL BULLETIN-NEW JERSEY

NJ-2015-3-LB

 

 

 

TO:                         All New Jersey Policy Agents

From:                    Legal Department

Date:                     March 27, 2015

RE:                          REMINDER & CLARIFICATION—REVISED SETTLEMENT CHARGES

 

This Bulletin serves as a reminder and clarification concerning the revised Settlement Charges that go into effect on April1, 2015.  The synopses of these changes were the subject of Bulletins NJ-2015-1-LB and NJ-2015-2-LB previously distributed to you.

 

Since issuing out previous Bulletins on this topic, two questions regarding the amended rates have been asked frequently.  The substance of these questions is discussed below.

 

Q1:         Is the Consent to Special Rate from (NJRB6-013) required to be completed when the only additional charge that is being imposed is the Additional $100.00 per hour charge specified in Rate Manual Sections 6.2.3 or 6.4.3?

 

A1:         No.  The Consent to Special Rate form (NJRB 6-03) is only required when s Special Charge under Rate Manual Section 3.1.5 is to be charged, i.e. charges that are not specifically identified by other Rate Manual sections. If you encounter a situation where a Special Charge under Rate Manual 3.1.5 may be warranted, the Consent to Special Rate form (NJRB 6-03) must be completed and executed by the applicant. Additionally, if the Special Charge arises under Rate Manual Section 3.1.5(a), please contact the New Jersey office for approval.

 

Q2:         If the Consent to Special Rate form (NJRB 6-03) do3s not apply because the only additional charge is the $100.00 per hour charge specified in rate Manual Sections 6.2.3 or 6.4.3, is there any consent form that must be obtained?

 

A2:         Possibly. An itemization of the time expended on settlement-related functions (and specifically identifying the settlement-related functions performed before and after the settlement itself) must be provided to the applicant upon request of the applicant. See Rate Manual Section 6.4.4. While this rate Manual Section only requires provision of the itemization upon request of the applicant, Westcor requires its agents to keep accurate records in each file documenting the settlement-related functions performed and time expended on each function ( whether or not the applicant requested the itemization) whenever a charge under Rate Manual Sections 6.2.3 or 6.4.3 is made. Additionally, even though not required by the Rate Manual, if the applicant does request the itemization, Westcor recommends that the agent have the applicant acknowledge agreement with the itemization and retain it in the agent’s file.