Title officers investigate real estate titles for irregularities that could affect transactions or property use. They may specialize in commercial, industrial, or residential titles and work for real estate or title insurance companies. They rely on documents and land maps to address concerns and may work with entry-level officers. A high school diploma or equivalent is required, and experience in underwriting or as a securities researcher is preferred. Some employers require a notary license.
A title officer investigates title to real estate and land prior to its purchase or sale to determine if there are any irregularities that could affect the transaction or use of the property. She may specialize in commercial, industrial or residential titles or be proficient in all three. Her job is usually a staff position at a real estate or title insurance company.
Land and real estate titles are certificates that prove ownership. Documents are normally maintained by landlords and regulatory agencies. They contain all vital statistics associated with the property and owner, including outstanding taxes, liens, easements, and zoning restrictions. Any of these factors can delay or prohibit the purchase or sale of property or determine your eligibility for property insurance, which protects the buyer against claims made after purchase.
If a title officer finds problems with a title, he or she normally contacts the seller first to assess the validity of the problems. In the case of unpaid liens or taxes, she and the seller will usually try to resolve these issues to allow the sale. If the buyer finds the purchase worthwhile, he or she may agree to personally resolve these concerns to facilitate the transaction.
Zoning and easement issues are usually handled by a local or regional commission. The title officer generally must make his case to these councils if he wants these restrictions changed or removed. If her requests are denied, she can act as a go-between for the buyer and seller to reach an amicable settlement.
In addition to studying these title discrepancies, a title officer may have to rely on information found on land maps and past mortgages in the region to address their concerns. This most often happens when the property and title in question is not transferred or examined for an extended period of time. She will normally carry out a physical inspection of the property if the available documents do not provide sufficient information.
Senior officers can work alone or enlist the support of entry-level officers to help them. These employees are usually title researchers or title abstractors. A title searcher often helps track documents for the title officer. If information needs to be extracted from deeds of trust or mortgages, the assistance of a title summary or assistance is often required.
Typically, a high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. In general, it is preferable to have experience in underwriting or as a securities researcher or securities abstractor or to be employed as a securities officer. Some employers also require applicants to be licensed notaries to qualify for the job.
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