Title and Ownership

The chain of title is the documented history of ownership transfers and other recorded changes affecting a property.

Clear title means the ownership record is free enough of unresolved claims or defects for the transaction to proceed and be insured.

A deed is the legal document used to transfer ownership rights in real property from one party to another.

A deed of trust is a security instrument used in many mortgage transactions that places property-related security rights into a trustee structure.

An easement is a legal right allowing someone else to use part of a property for a specific purpose without owning it.

An encumbrance is a burden, claim, restriction, or other right that affects a property's ownership or use.

Joint tenancy is a form of shared property ownership in which co-owners hold equal interests under a specific legal structure.

Lender's title insurance is the title policy that protects the lender's secured interest in the property.

A lien is a legal claim against property, often used to secure repayment of a debt or performance of an obligation.

Owner's title insurance is the title policy designed to protect the buyer's ownership interest in the property.

Recording is the act of placing deeds, mortgages, and related documents into the public property record.

Subordination is the agreement or priority structure that allows one lien to remain behind another in claim order against the property.

Title refers to the legal ownership rights in a property and the recognized basis for claiming those rights.

Mortgage title and ownership terms that explain legal ownership, title review, insurance, deeds, and property claims.

A title commitment is the title company's statement of the conditions under which it is prepared to issue title insurance.

A title defect is a problem in ownership history, documentation, or recorded claims that can interfere with clean title.

Title insurance is a policy that helps protect against certain title defects or claims connected to events before closing.

A title search is the review of public records used to confirm ownership history and identify recorded claims against a property.

Vesting describes how ownership rights are legally held in the names of the people or entities taking title to a property.