Real Estate Title Insurance

Title insurance provides protection from defects in a real estate title. So, you are getting ready to close on a home and the title search you paid good money for shows the title is clean with no issues. Your lender is requiring that you also ( as part of your closing costs) pay for title insurance to cover them. Why? The title is clean? Is this just a money grab for the lender and title co?  

Title searches are not infallible and the lender knows it and won’t take the chance of not being covered. Even the best, most comprehensive title search in the world can’t uncover certain issues that can cause problems later. Suppose someone forged a document or deed on a prior sale. That could never be detected by a title search but if a lawsuit is filed because of it, you are left to cover the cost of defending your interest in the real estate on your own dime. You’ll have no luck recovering from the title company in this instance. Fraud, clerical errors, boundary disputes, undisclosed heirs and a number of other issues is where the right kind of title insurance can kick in to protect your interest.    

Title insurance that covers the lender is aptly named Lender’s Title Insurance. This does not cover the buyer. There is Owner’s Title Insurance for that. It’s an extra charge but at a reduced rate if you are already buying Lender’s Title Insurance. Title companies here in the Dayton, Ohio area will allow you to consider Owner’s Title up to 30 days after closing at the reduced rate.  After that, a new title search will have to be done as well. The cost of this insurance is state mandated so the price is the same everywhere. The fee varies depending on the price of the home and loan amount, there are multiple online calculators to plug and chug if you want to know the cost. 

Feel free to reach out with any and all real estate related questions that come to mind!