Title is the lawful ownership of real property or in this case real estate. Title is the deed or other document that provides evidence of your ownership to your home.

Here are a few terms that may assist in your understanding of title.

Abstract of Title
A short account of what appears in the public record affecting the title of a particular parcel of real property; ordinarily includes a chronological summary of all grants, conveyances, wills, transfers and judicial proceeds that have in any way affected title together with all liens and encumbrances of record, showing whether or not they have been released.

Clear Title
Title free and clear of objectionable liens, encumbrances or defects, so that a reasonable prudent person with full knowledge of the facts would not hesitate to purchase the property.   This is from a legal point of view in regards to the title of the property.

Title Search
An investigation of the public record to determine all rights and encumbrances affecting title to a piece of property.

Title Report
A report issued by a title company, disclosing the condition of the title to a specific piece of property, before the actual title insurance policy is issued, often called preliminary title report.

Title Insurance Policy
Insurance that protects against losses resulting from undiscovered title defects.   An owner's policy protects the buyer, while a mortgagee's policy protects the lien position of the buyer's lender.

Joint Tenants
A form of concurrent ownership in the co-owners have equal undivided interest in the entire property and the right of survivorship.