Title Defects

Before you invest in any kind of real estate, you’ll want to make sure that the title to the property is defect-free. A defect is anything that could affect the ability of the property to be fully and legally transferred to the new owner. They’re also called “clouds”...

Property owners in California hold title to their real property. The county recorder's office where they live or own real property has an official record of the deed that allowed them to assume ownership, and the chain of ownership records can help resolve any...

There are numerous benefits that come from buying a house from someone's estate. You may get to keep the furnishings and appliances at no extra charge because including them in the sale is just easier than selling them separately or getting rid of them. You may get a...

In order to avoid being the victim of a home title fraud scheme, you need to know how these schemes work. This can help you to see the red flags and avoid taking action that may put you in a compromising position.  There are many different types of fraud, so do not...

The title of your property provides proof of ownership and also offers a level of legal protection. This may be vital if you plan to sell or transfer the property at some point in the future. Unfortunately, titles may not always be as they first appear. Defects with...

Spending years living in a property only to find out that it may not be yours could send you into a panic. Yet, there is often a simple way to resolve the issue. Quiet title actions are a relatively quick and inexpensive way to clear up doubts and verify who owns the...

Owning a home requires a lot of money. You have to pay the mortgage, pay for insurance and take care of everything that breaks. You also need to make regular upgrades if you want to eventually sell the property for a good price. When you hire someone to make repairs,...

Whether you purchase or inherit a property, it could come with issues on its title that impact your ownership rights. Someone else's name or a lien are common defects. Typically, such issues get addressed when a title insurance company produces a policy on the...