There are a variety of issues that can come about when purchasing any type of real estate. A title problem can turn any deal sour, so it’s important to become familiar with the many issues that could stand in your way.
Here are some of the most common title problems:
— Public record errors. Any filing or clerical error could impact the survey or deed of your property, thus leading to issues with transferring the property from the seller to the buyer.
— Unknown liens. It’s important that you do whatever it takes to turn up any liens that could be held against the property. This is an issue that often comes into play when purchasing a distressed property, such as a foreclosure.
— Illegal deed. Many people don’t consider this, but it’s possible that a prior deed was made by a minor, an undocumented immigrant or anyone else who was not legally permitted to own the property.
— Forgery. Unfortunately, there are times when a person forges a document to make a personal gain. This can obscure the ownership of a property, thus making it more difficult to make a purchase.
These are just a few of the more common title problems to become familiar with as you purchase real estate. There are steps you can take to protect against trouble, such as purchasing title insurance, but it’s hard to say what the future will bring.
If you face any type of title setback during the purchase of a home or commercial property, it’s important to learn more about your legal rights.
Source: 10 Common Title Problems, “First American Financial Corporation,” accessed July 03, 2017