What is The Chain of Title?

In middle school, did you ever have to do a research paper? What about doing one based on the history of your real property? Cataloging the materials that builders used to build it, every single detail that would certify the transfer of title from owner to owner since its construction. The resources you’d cite in your bibliography. Those were the days. At any rate, the chain of title is basically the record of a property, detailing every owner that it has ever had in its history. It covers who built it, owned it, bought it, and in any way “held title” to it for its existence.

Speaking simply, the chain of title is “the story of a home”. As it stands, ownership of land and real estate is meticulously documented and protected at your county recorder’s office. Ensuring the people who own land and work to maintain it has the firmest grasp that this is truly their land.  A little different from the deed, which is the transference of title or interest in a property to another person. The title is the bundle of rights or legal privileges, that is given to a real estate buyer, covering all things that can and cannot be done with the property. As far as the chain of title, the title and deed work together to grant the real estate buyer their set rights as owner of the property. The chain of title also identifies liens on the property, which are on the property, not the owner. They follow the property. So, you own the property and the lien if it’s not resolved in the transfer of title to you and taken care of by the prior owner, or “granter”. If you’d like to have our Gables Title Group team review your chain of title, we’re ready to help your property transaction from contract to closing.