Consumers

Consumers

Buyers

Let’s get started by exploring what title insurance is, how it protects your investment, and what the risks are of denying this important coverage.

There are two types of title insurance policies – an owner’s title insurance policy and a lender’s title insurance policy. Most lenders will require you, as the borrower, to purchase a lender’s policy as a condition of your financing. It is important to understand that the lender’s policy protects the lender – it does not protect you, as the homeowner. An owner’s title insurance policy however, protects you, as the homeowner, from loss if a property ownership dispute occurs after settlement.

Prior to settlement, the title company searches public records, such as liens, claims, deeds, tax records and maps, to make sure there are no problems in the title’s ownership and history for the property you are buying. If a problem should arise after settlement, the terms of the policy define covered and excluded losses. The policy takes effect on the issue date and covers defects that arise prior to your ownership. The fee for title insurance is usually included in your itemization of closing costs from your lender, and it is a one-time, nominal fee. There are no renewal premiums, and there’s no expiration date on the policy. The protection lasts as long as you – or your heirs – maintain an interest in the property. It’s security that lasts.
 

What Is Covered By An Owners Policy?

An owner’s policy protects you, the buyer, from issues that might emerge after you close on your home. Example of issues may include human error, forged documents, undisclosed or missing heirs, and incorrect legal descriptions. Only an owner’s policy will protect you from personal loss, such as legal expenses for a dispute after the sale.
 

What Is NOT Covered By An Owner’s Policy?

Title insurance does not protect you from losses caused by problems you created or losses not directly related to resolving or paying the claim. It also does not cover losses listed under your policy’s exclusions or exceptions. It is a good idea to discuss these exceptions with an attorney before you close any real estate purchase. Some non-covered sources of loss may include:

• An unrecorded title defect you knew about
• Violations of building and zoning ordinances
• Restrictive covenants limiting how you may use the property
• Discrepancies, conflicts or shortages in area, boundary lines, encroachments, protrusions or overlapping of improvements

Sellers

Crown Title’s Seller Representation Program ensures that our seller’s best interest is always at the forefront of their transaction and that they will not be charged miscellaneous fees buy the buyer’s title company. Our flat fee pricing structure makes selling your home with the assistance of an Attorney, a reasonable and affordable option. As part of this program, we will provide the following services for sellers:

PRE-CLOSING TITLE CLEARANCE

1. Run 2 owner search, 20 year search
2. Identify title issues which could delay closing
3. Resolve issues including:
• Missing release of satisfied mortgages UCC/solar panel liens
• Run pacer to clear federal liens/bankruptcy Identify and clear FFB/HOA liens
• Ground rent/leasehold estate issues Obtain payoffs of active mortgages Advise on non-resident withholding
• Certify municipality liens including real estate taxes and water bills
• Proof of death for deceased title holders Prepare trust certifications
• Prepare power of attorney
• Certify/prepare corporation documents and resolutions for entity sellers

POST-CLOSING DOCUMENTATION

1. Prepare preliminary title report for the subject property
2. Review title report and share findings with sellers and seller’s agent
3. Assist with title clearing efforts as needed
4. Prepare/draft an attorney-certified deed of conveyance
5. Order or obtain mortgage payoff statements
6. Review seller closing documents
7. Safeguard funds by reducing risk of wire fraud
8. Conduct seller-side closing
9. Deliver executed documents, together with net proceeds disbursement instructions, to title company

Sellers get $300 back at closing if the buyer selects Crown Title to represent them. In the event that the buyer does not select Crown Title to represent them, all title work will be provided to the buyer’s title company, free of charge, and the seller will not incur any additional seller fees.