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Owner's Title Insurance when Buying a House

Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:29 pm
Posted by bleedpurplengold
Member since Feb 2007
1374 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:29 pm
Purchasing a new home and I have the option to have owner's title insurance. Seeing whats the boards opinion on this. My lender says she's 50/50 on it as it protects you, but very rarely is it used. It's over $750 and wondering if it is necessary. The house I'm buying is 18 years old and I know the folks I'm purchasing it from personally. They have lived there for the past 8 years. Any help is appreciated.
Posted by TigerRob20
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2008
3732 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:32 pm to
We elected not to purchase it when we bought our house. However, we were buying from an estate, where the parents had built the house in the 1960's. (The house came with all of the original closing documentation, plans, etc, which was pretty cool on its own).

If there is a chance of multiple owners, etc, I'd be more inclined to buy it than the situation we were in. You probably won't need it, but then again, that is what insurance is for.
This post was edited on 6/7/17 at 3:37 pm
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
166246 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:32 pm to
quote:

It's over $750


probably half that is straight cash for the title company.
Posted by rmc
Truth or Consequences
Member since Sep 2004
26504 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:33 pm to
Like any other insurance - depends on your risk tolerance. I've seen it used but I'm in the business (title atty). I err on the side of purchasing it but I also make money when it is purchased so I could be considered biased.

House construction date, your personal knowledge of the owners and how long they have lived there may factor in a little, but issues could predate them or have come into existence after their acquiring of the property.
Posted by bleedpurplengold
Member since Feb 2007
1374 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:33 pm to
quote:

probably half that is straight cash for the title company.


80% goes straight to title company from what I'm told by another insurance agent....
Posted by rmc
Truth or Consequences
Member since Sep 2004
26504 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:33 pm to
quote:

probably half that is straight cash for the title company.


It's more than that.
Posted by CarRamrod
Spurbury, VT
Member since Dec 2006
57438 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:33 pm to
yet you talk to someone who didnt get it and wish they had. costs them tens of thousands of bucks.
Posted by teke184
Zachary, LA
Member since Jan 2007
95368 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:33 pm to
Probably not a necessity but $750 is cheap compared to the fallout if there is any question of title on the house.

Considering the house will be a likely six figure purchase it is a small cost in the scheme of things.
Posted by ThePoo
Work
Member since Jan 2007
60601 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:35 pm to
I am a title//closing attorney



Get it...$750, probably will never need it but that is protection if necessary and legal representation a one time cost of $750...you are talking legal fees that without title insurance can climb to $20/30/40K


Posted by rmc
Truth or Consequences
Member since Sep 2004
26504 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:36 pm to
quote:

Probably not a necessity but $750 is cheap compared to the fallout if there is any question of title on the house.

Considering the house will be a likely six figure purchase it is a small cost in the scheme of things.


Yeah if its $750 and he is financing he is buying a house well over 100k.

Edit: I think his quoting the policy premium constitutes a subtle brag.
This post was edited on 6/7/17 at 3:38 pm
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
166246 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:38 pm to
quote:

I am a title//closing attorney



Get it...$750


why can't you folks make modest commission off of these policies like the rest of us folk?
Posted by Murtown
OT Ballerville
Member since Sep 2014
1607 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:38 pm to
I'm a title attorney. I always let the customers know when they ask about it that I get a cut of the premium.

It protects against things that just knowing the owners may not help. Like when they bought the house from the nice couple, the wife wasn't who she said she was. Real wife comes back ten years later and says hey that wasn't me and that's still my house.
Posted by TigerDeacon
West Monroe, LA
Member since Sep 2003
29299 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:38 pm to
Title attorney here

I get title insurance it on every property I buy.

You got to enough conferences and hear the crazy stories that were not discoverable through searching the records and it scares you. Plus, you are also protecting yourself from errors on the part of the closing attorney in checking title.
Posted by LSU1018
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2007
7220 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:38 pm to
I agree on buying it if you plan to live there for awhile. It's a one time cost that is minimal compared to the costs of if there is an issue.
Posted by Litigious Tiger
Actual Join date 2007
Member since Sep 2011
317 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:39 pm to
quote:

Like any other insurance - depends on your risk tolerance. I've seen it used but I'm in the business (title atty). I err on the side of purchasing it but I also make money when it is purchased so I could be considered biased. House construction date, your personal knowledge of the owners and how long they have lived there may factor in a little, but issues could predate them or have come into existence after their acquiring of the property.


I agree. I am also in the business as a title attorney (same bias may apply), but I always recommend it. I have discovered issues and the people filed claims. But for the insurance, it would have cost quite a bit to resolve the issues.

Posted by ThePoo
Work
Member since Jan 2007
60601 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:40 pm to
quote:

why can't you folks make modest commission off of these policies like the rest of us folk?


Fwiw, commission can often be negotiated between title company and underwriter, If you become valuable to them in amount of closings you have more leverage obviously in these negotiations
This post was edited on 6/7/17 at 3:45 pm
Posted by piratedude
baton rouge
Member since Oct 2009
2501 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:40 pm to
if your title attorney misses a lien or an ownership interest, you bought the house subject to those clouds. You can sue your attorney for only 3 years after the mistake (in Louisiana.)

i saw a title recently that had a lot number error in the property description in 1995 and 7 transactions took place after the error before anyone noticed.

an owner's title policy might be helpful in that situation.
Posted by geauxlsu09
The 318
Member since Oct 2009
3362 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:41 pm to
I am a closing secretary and would recommend purchasing it, mostly if it is a home you plan to keep long term. Crazy things can happen and it is worth it if in fact an issue arises.
Posted by SlowFlowPro
Simple Solutions to Complex Probs
Member since Jan 2004
422428 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:41 pm to
i have nothing to do with title/RE

but

it's like buying a $1500 tv and using a $5 surge protector. just insanity

a house is probably the biggest investment you'll make in your life. skipping on a sub-$750 insurance plan for it is just insane in MOST cases.
Posted by rmc
Truth or Consequences
Member since Sep 2004
26504 posts
Posted on 6/7/17 at 3:41 pm to
quote:

why can't you folks make modest commission off of these policies like the rest of us folk?


What's the commission for whatever you write?

You guys need to get a better lobby.
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