Title Endorsements: The Concept and the Types Explained

As you go about buying real estate, you're likely to encounter some less-familiar terms. One of these terms is "title endorsement." Your real estate agent may mention title endorsement, or you might see it listed on an estimate from your title company. In either case, it's a good idea to understand this term so you have a better idea of what you're paying for and why you need it.

So, without further ado, here's an explanation of the title service known as title endorsement, along with a look at the different types of title endorsements.

What Is Title Endorsement?

Perhaps you're familiar with title insurance. It is a type of insurance that protects the buyer or the lender from any liens or claims against the title that may be revealed after real estate is purchased. Title endorsement basically takes things one step further from title insurance. It protects you against specific types of issues with your property's title.

Title endorsement is not necessary for every real estate transaction. However, it can be a very smart buy in certain situations. If you or your attorney have any reason to suspect there may be a specific issue with a title, you can purchase a title endorsement against that issue. 

What Are The Different Types of Title Endorsement?

There are many, many different types of title endorsements. Those most commonly used types are explained below.

Survey Coverage

Survey coverage protects your interests should there be a discrepancy between the land identified on the title and the land that's listed on an insurance policy. This is helpful coverage when buying large tracts of land with poorly defined boundaries.

Minerals and Substances

Does someone have an easement to access minerals, oil, or other substances located beneath your land? A title endorsement can protect you should these parties cause damage to your land when adhering to the terms of the easement.

Zoning

A zoning endorsement can protect you if the local jurisdiction changes the zoning in a way that keeps you from using your property in the way you intended. This is a common title endorsement for business owners.

Access

If your property does not directly border a public street, such as if the driveway to access your home is on a neighbor's land, you will want an access endorsement. It protects you from losing that pathway to access your land.

Easements

Perhaps a neighbor has an easement allowing them to use your driveway to access your land. Or, perhaps the power company has an easement to access lines on your land. An easement endorsement, drawn up by a title company Pennsylvania residents trust, can protect you in this case.

Could you benefit from having a title endorsement drawn up as a part of your real estate purchase? Reach out to your Philadelphia title company for their expert advice. Heritage Land Transfer would be happy to help. We're a full-service title company and escrow agency, and we always put customers first.

Our team of expert professionals provides a seamless title transfer experience, guaranteed lowest rates, and the fastest closings. We believe in making the real estate transaction a happy experience for our clients and partners alike, and to that end, we do what it takes, including traveling to their preferred locations.

This blog was originally posted on https://landtransfer.com/title-endorsements-the-concept-and-the-types-explained/

4 Things You Need to Know About Commercial Title Insurance

Buying commercial property always comes with some risks. One of those risks can be related to the property title. Commercial title histories can be long and complex, and it's not terribly rare for previous liens or claims to a title to show up. The good news is that commercial title insurance from a title company can protect you and your lender from these risks. Here are a few key things you should know about commercial title insurance.

1. There Are Two Key Types of Title Insurance

When you're purchasing a commercial property, there are two separate entities that should take out title insurance policies. The first is your lender. In fact, most lenders are required to have title insurance in order to hold the loan on a commercial space. This title insurance ensures that if there is an issue with the title, the lender is protected from financial risk.

The second party that should buy insurance from a title service is the buyer. In commercial transactions, this is generally the LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation that is buying the property. This policy is separate from the one held by the lender, and it protects the business financially should any title problems come to light.

2. Title Searches Don't Negate the Need for Insurance

Before you buy a piece of commercial real estate, you should have a title company conduct a title search. This search should turn up any liens or claims to the title prior to purchase. However, the title search process can occasionally miss liens. As such, a title search is not a replacement for title insurance. Even the best title company Pennsylvania has to offer may not be able to uncover everything in the search process, and insurance protects you from this possibility.

3. Commercial Title Insurance Is Paid For Once

Commercial title insurance is not something you or your business need to pay for month after month. Rather, you pay for this insurance via a one-time fee due at closing. The escrow agency will typically hold the funds while you're in the process of purchasing the real estate. Then, when you sign the closing documents, the title insurance company will be paid for the policy or policies. 

4. Title Insurance Offers Continued Protection

Policies to protect both you and the lender last for as long as you own the property. Or, in the case of the lender, they last as long as there's a loan out on the property. So, if an issue with the title comes up in 5 years, you're protected. If an issue arises in 15 years, you are still protected. It's nice to get such long-lasting risk reduction for a one-time payment at closing. 

Commercial property can be a sizable investment, so it is worth protecting your investment. Your lender will likely require title insurance, and you should strongly consider taking out a policy to protect your business, too.

Contact Heritage Land Transfer to learn more about our title services. Our stellar customer service, unmatched resources, and guaranteed lowest rates are brought to you by an award winning team of professionals, dedicated to helping our clients and partners have the most seamless transactions.

This blog was originally posted on https://landtransfer.com/4-things-you-need-to-know-about-commercial-title-insurance/