William  Owens

William Owens

Broker-in-Charge/Realtor-NC&SC

License #: NC-164566/SC-22129

South Charlotte Properties

Mobile:
704-564-7222
Office:
704-269-8458
Email Me
William  Owens

William Owens

Broker-in-Charge/Realtor-NC&SC

License #: NC-164566/SC-22129

South Charlotte Properties

Mobile:
704-564-7222
Office:
704-269-8458
Email Me

BUYERS: Title Insurance Details

 

What is Title Insurance?

Title insurance is protection against loss arising from problems connected to the title of your property. Before you purchased your home, it may have gone through several ownership changes, and the land on which it stands went through many more. There may be a weak link at any point in that chain that could emerge to cause trouble. For example, someone along the way may have forged a signature in transferring title. Or there may be unpaid real estate taxes or other liens. Title insurance covers the insured party for any claims and legal fees that arise out of such problems.

Prior to closing, public records are "searched" to determine the previous ownership of the property, as well as prior dealings related to it. At closing the buyer expects property that is free and clear of such claims, so typically they must be cleared up before closing.

Occasionally problems regarding title are not discovered before closing, or are not remedied before closing. Such defects can make the property less marketable when the buyer subsequently sells and, depending on the nature of the problem, can also cost money to remedy. For example, the survey might have failed to show that an addition to the property was built without permission. The buyer of the property could be out-of-pocket if he is later required to remove the addition.

Am I required to purchase Title Insurance?

Title Insurance is required if you need a mortgage, because all mortgage lenders require such protection for an amount equal to the loan. It lasts until the loan is repaid. As with mortgage insurance, it protects the lender but you pay the premium, which is a single-payment made upfront.

Who is protected with Title Insurance?

Title insurance policies can be issued in favour of a purchaser (on new/resale homes, condos and vacation properties), a lender, or both the purchaser and lender. Some of the risks that are frequently covered under a title insurance policy include: survey irregularities; forced removal of existing structures; claims due to fraud, forgery or duress; unregistered easements and rights of-way; lack of pedestrian or vehicular access to the property; work orders; zoning and set back non-compliance or deficiencies; etc.
For a risk to be covered, usually it has to have existed as of the date of the policy. As with any type of insurance policy, certain types of risks might not be covered, for example, native land claims and environmental hazards are normally excluded. Be sure to discuss with your lawyer what risks are covered and what are excluded.

When does the insurance coverage end?

When the title insurance is covering the purchaser, it remains in effect as long as the insured purchaser has title to the land. Some policies also protect those who received title as a result of the purchaser's death, or certain family members (e.g., a spouse or children) to whom the property may have been transferred for a nominal consideration.

When the title insurance is covering the lender, the policy remains in effect as long as the mortgage remains on title. A lender covered under a title insurance policy is insured in the event the lender realizes on its security and suffers actual loss or damage with respect to a risk covered under the policy. Lenders are usually covered up to the principal amount of the mortgage.

The premium for title insurance is paid once (at the time of purchase). Generally speaking, in Canada the purchaser of the property pays for the title insurance, though there can be situations where the seller pays for it. Some policies automatically cover both the purchaser and lender; others will cover both for a small additional fee

Protection and Peace of Mind

Title insurance can help ensure that a closing is not delayed due to defects in title. And, if an issue relating to title arises with respect to a risk covered under the policy, the title insurance covers the legal fees and expenses associated with defending the insured's title and pays in the event of loss.

 

Have Questions?

704-564-7222

  

704-269-8458

  

You could say that Will grew up in Real Estate since his Mother was a broker/owner in Arkansas. He began his career in 1990 earning his NC Real Estate Salesman’s License and then working with First-time Homebuyers (which he still does). Since then, he has assisted hundreds of clients in navigating the process of buying or selling a home. He has in-depth, first-hand knowledge of both Charlotte and the surrounding areas. His experience and understanding of the many factors that influence the real estate market gives him the insight to provide unparalleled service to his buyers, sellers and investors. But it’s his warm, easy-going style that puts clients at ease and turns the stress of buying or selling a home into a pleasure. His clients always know that their best interest is his top priority.

License #: NC-164566/SC-22129

Education: University of Arkansas, BS. Business Administration Broker in Charge in NC and SC

Specialty: All Residential and Commercial

Awards: Top Producing Broker

Area Covered: In North Carolina....Charlotte, Pineville, Matthews, Weddington, Waxhaw, Marvin, Monroe, Indian Trail, Mint Hill. In South Carolina...Fort Mill, Indian Land, Rock Hill, Lancaster, Catawba, Clover, Lake Wylie.

Designation: ABR, ASR, CRS, ePRO