Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
What is it, exactly?
A title commitment is prepared prior to issuing a policy of title insurance that shows the ownership of a specific parcel of land. It includes the liens and encumbrances which will not be covered under a subsequent title insurance policy. The commitment lists, in advance of purchase, title defects, liens and encumbrances which are likely excluded from coverage. This is as if the requested title insurance policy were to be issued as of the date of the commitment. The report is reviewed and discussed by the parties to a real estate transaction and their agents. A commitment provides the opportunity to seek the removal of items referenced in the report which are objectionable to the buyer prior to purchase.
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When and how is the Title Commitment produced?
Shortly after escrow is opened, an order is placed with you. The title agent will then begin the process involved in producing the report. This process calls for the assembly and review of certain recorded matters relative to both the property and the parties to the transaction.
Requirements
Recorded matters include a mortgage or a lien recorded against the buyer or seller for an unpaid court award or unpaid taxes. These items are listed numerically as “requirements” in the commitment. They will remain requirements from title insurance coverage unless eliminated or released prior to the transfer of title.
What should I look for when reading my Title Commitment?
Property Rights
Be interested, primarily, in the extent of your ownership rights. You will want to review the ownership interest in the property and the description of the property. Review any claims, restrictions or interests of other people involving the property as well. The commitment will note in a statement of vesting the degree, quantity, nature, and extent of the owner’s interest in the real property. The most common form of interest is “fee simple” or “fee”. This is the highest type of interest an owner can have in land.
Exceptions
Restrictions, and interests of others which are excluded from coverage will be listed numerically as “exceptions” in the commitment. These may be claims by creditors who have liens, or liens for payment of taxes or assessments. Other recorded restrictions may have been placed in a prior deed or contained in, which are called covenants, conditions, and restrictions.
Third Party Interests
Finally, interests of third parties are not uncommon and may include easements given by a prior owner which limit your use of the property. When you buy property you may not wish to have these claims or restrictions on your property. Instead, you may want to clear the unwanted items prior to purchase. In addition to the limitations noted above, a list of standard exceptions and exclusions listing items not covered by your title insurance policy may be attached to your report. Unlike the numbered exclusions, which are specific to the property you are buying, these are standard exceptions and exclusions appearing in title insurance policies. Be sure to review this section, these matters are not covered under your title insurance policy. You may wish to investigate these items, such as governmental laws or regulations governing building and zoning
How do I go about clearing unwanted liens and encumbrances?
Carefully review the commitment. If the title to the property be clouded, you and your title and real estate agents will work with the seller and the seller’s agents to clear the unwanted liens and encumbrances prior to taking title.
Learn more about title commitments with this downloadable handout!
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[…] of all the necessary findings are included in a report called a title commitment. The title commitment is presented to both the property buyer and the seller at the end of the […]