Title Insurance

[Anonymous]

Closing on a property built in 74 with one original owner in his 80’s. Property had additions from a contractor who has passed. I know Title Insurance is somewhat of a racket and ony like 10% have claims. Should I opt out? Any recs for local ones in the Fairfax area?

[Anonymous]

Title insurance also protects you against anyone who has liens against the house, such as any loans which the 80 year old previous owner had using the house as collateral. You don’t know their financial history, and they were in the house a long time. It’s not just about the number of times it has been owned. It’s also about who has a claim to ownership of the house for any reason. I would never buy a house without it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Closing on a property built in 74 with one original owner in his 80’s. Property had additions from a contractor who has passed. I know Title Insurance is somewhat of a racket and ony like 10% have claims. Should I opt out? Any recs for local ones in the Fairfax area?

It isn’t a racket. It’s a bargain, cheapest insurance there is.

[Anonymous]

Is allowable with your mortgage lender to opt out? (Pls ignore question if you are paying cash)

[Anonymous]

Similar situation which resulted in the need to track down a ninety year old in Florida and beg for a quit claim deed to close on our 1980 house. You never know what’s messed up with a title until it’s almost too late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Title insurance also protects you against anyone who has liens against the house, such as any loans which the 80 year old previous owner had using the house as collateral. You don’t know their financial history, and they were in the house a long time. It’s not just about the number of times it has been owned. It’s also about who has a claim to ownership of the house for any reason. I would never buy a house without it.

What if that owner had work done by the contractor that wasn't paid for at some point over the years? Or work by someone else that wasn't paid for? Or a home inspection that was done for whatever reason and not paid for? Those recipients could have put a lien on the house until bills were paid. You never know what could suddenly become unburied and threaten your ownership of the house. Yeah, it's unlikely it would kick in. But you will thank every star in the heavens that you have it if anything ever happens. As said above, cheapest insurance there is that gives you that big of a benefit.

[Anonymous]

Get it. I thought it was a racket too, but we ended up needing ours.

[Anonymous]

Don't be penny wise and pound foolish. Get it.

[Anonymous]

I needed mine when I went to sell the house. Glad I had it and knew right where the paperwork was. Phew.