On average, Americans move approximately 11 times in their lifetime, and while no one wants to deal with the hassle of unpacking and settling into a new home, it’s great to have all the paperwork tied up so there’s no confusion on closing day. Remember, you can’t afford to neglect your real estate title.

The title protects your ownership stake in the property and guarantees that no one else can claim legal rights to it. In this article, we’ll briefly explore what real estate titles are, how they work, and what role a title company plays in getting them.

What is a Real Estate Title?

A home title proves the owner’s legal rights to live in and use the property as they please. If you’re buying a house with someone else, both of your names will appear on the title deed, so each person has equal ownership rights. The same goes for selling the home. Both of you must agree to the sale before it can go through.

Sometimes, people choose to hold their property title in a trust. They can do this for estate planning purposes or simply to avoid going through probate court in the event of the owner’s death.

House Title vs. Deed

A deed transfers ownership of a property from one party to another party. In contrast, a house title in real estate signals the legal rights to own, use, and sell a property.

While a deed shows who owns the property, it doesn’t prevent former owners from making claims on that property. Title insurance can protect you against losses if someone challenges your ownership of a home. Still, to own a home in its entirety, you would need both the deed and the title.

Real Estate Title Search: How it Works

A title search is when a real estate title company investigates the property for any liens or current owners. A real estate title search does not include information about previous owners. It only reports on current ownership and encumbrances (such as mortgages).

Why Choose a Real Estate Title Company?

A good title company will help you avoid scams. Title fraud is a genuine risk, and you don’t want to waste your hard-earned dollars. An experienced title company will conduct a title search to ensure that the seller is who they say they are, and that they have the right to sell the property to you.

In addition, a title company can help you with the closing process and provide valuable resources if you have questions about your rights as a homeowner.

Learn Everything You Need to Know About Your Next Property

Buying a home is a big deal, so it’s important that you do your research, or even better, let us do the work for you! At Emerald Coast Title Services, we provide fast, professional title searches and lien checks for home buyers in Florida. With our help, you can be confident that you’re purchasing a property that will only belong to you.