The Importance of Investigating the Property Title Before Listing Your Home

When preparing to sell your home, one of the first tasks your real estate professional will undertake is reviewing the property title. The title is a critical document that establishes your legal ownership of the property and confirms your authority to sell it. Here’s what you need to know about this essential step.

What is a Property Title?

A property title is your legal claim to the property. It includes:

• Ownership Information: Who owns the property and their authority to sell it.
• Legal Address: The official address of the property.
• Type of Ownership: Details of the ownership structure, such as sole ownership, joint tenancy, or tenancy-in-common.
• Encumbrances: Registered items like utility rights of way, caveats, easements, or liens. These can include unpaid taxes, condominium fees, or other interests registered by third parties.

Why It Matters

Understanding what’s on the title is crucial because any discrepancies or issues can delay or derail a sale. For example:

• A lien for unpaid property taxes must be resolved before the property can be transferred to a buyer.
• Utility rights of way or easements could affect the property’s use and appeal.

How Your Real Estate Professional Helps

A knowledgeable and organized REALTOR® will carefully review the title to identify any issues. If anything seems out of order, they’ll explain what it means and recommend professionals, such as lawyers or title insurance providers, to help clear up any complications before listing your home.

Taking the time to ensure the property title is accurate and free of complications not only makes the selling process smoother but also demonstrates professionalism to potential buyers.