Is getting an owner’s title insurance policy a good idea (1)

IS GETTING AN OWNER’S TITLE INSURANCE POLICY A GOOD IDEA?

Title insurance companies write two kinds of insurance policies. The most prevalent are policies that protect the interests of the mortgage lender should there be a problem with the title. Should the borrower default, lenders want to be able to foreclose and take possession of the property without worrying about outstanding claims?

What Title Insurance Covers Lenders require borrowers to pay the cost of the title search and the policy that protects them. The cost if title search and lenders’ policy is roughly .5% of the cost of the home, but it can vary considerably, from under $1000 to $2500 or more based on the cost of the home, the state where it is located and the title company. The new “know before you owe” forms required by Consumer Finance Protection Bureau were designed to help consumers shop and save on closing costs like title insurance.

What Title Insurance Covers Title insurance policies also cover the cost of resolving (also known as curing) most title problems (also known as defects) uncovered during the title search. Common defects include, but are not limited to, the following: Tax liens (for unpaid taxes) Construction liens, also known as mechanics’ liens (for unpaid construction or renovation bills) Creditor lines (for instance, an unpaid balance on a preexisting mortgage) Court judgments (for instance, a postdivorce judgment awarding part of the property to a former spouse) Title insurance policies cover future costs arising from title disputes. For instance, the holder of a valid title insurance policy wouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket to defend against a lawsuit brought by contractors claiming that their companies had liens on the property stemming from a previous owner’s unpaid renovation bill.

Title companies also provide policies that protect the interests of homeowners.

Usually issued in the amount of the real estate purchase, owners’ policies provide protection against claims resulting from unpaid mortgages; unpaid property taxes; child support liens; missing heirs who could claim the property belongs to him or her and missed easements or rights of way that could limit your use of the property.

Owners’ policies are optional and are available to buyers to pay cash as well those who finance. Many title companies offer a significant discount when both the owner’s and loan policy are purchased simultaneously. That’s because title companies need to conduct only one search for both policies. On the East Coast, the buyer typically pays the cost of his owners’ policy. Sellers on the West Coast, normally pay the cost of the buyer’s ownership policy.

Sources: https://artesiantitle.com/

https://www.homes.com/blog/2017/05/getting-owners-title-insurance-policy-good-idea/