abstract of title A summary or digest of all transfers, conveyances, legal proceedings, and any other facts relied on as evidence of title, showing continuity of ownership, together with any other elements of record which may impair title. adjusted basis The cost basis of a property after the application of additions for further improvements and deductions for destruction of improvements and depreciation. ALTA title policy (American Land Title Association) A type of title insurance policy issued by title insurance companies which expands the risks normally insured against under the standard type policy to include unrecorded mechanic s liens; unrecorded physical easements; facts a physical survey would show; water and mineral rights; and rights of parties in possession, such as tenants and buyers under unrecorded instruments. assignment A transfer to another of any property in possession or in action, or of any estate or right therein. A transfer by a person of that person s rights under a contract. California Land Title Association (CLTA) title The standard title insurance policy.
chain of title A history of conveyances and encumbrances affecting the title from the time the original patent was granted, or as far back as records are available, used to determine how title came to be vested in current owner. cloud on title A claim, encumbrance or condition which impairs the title to real property until disproved or eliminated as for example through a quitclaim deed or a quiet title legal action. conveyance An instrument in writing used to transfer (convey) title to property from one person to another, such as a deed or a trust deed. delinquent taxes Property taxes not paid prior to becoming delinquent. parol evidence A rule that prevents a party to a written contract from presenting outside evidence that clarifies the written terms of a contract that appears to be whole.
preliminary title report A report constituting a revocable offer by a title insurer to issue a policy of title insurance used by a buyer and escrow to initially establish the current vesting and encumbrances attached to title of a property as reflected by public record. probate sale A court managed sale of a property during the probate process. property profile A report from a title company providing information about a property s ownership, encumbrances, use restrictions and comparable sales data. proration recording Provisions entitling the seller to a credit for the portion of prepaid sums which have not accrued on obligations a buyer assumes on the day escrow closes, or entitling the buyer to a credit for amounts assumed which accrued unpaid through the day prior to the close of escrow. The process of placing a document on file with a designated public official for public notice. This public official is usually a county officer known as the County Recorder who designates the fact that a document has been presented for recording by placing a recording stamp upon it indicating the time of day and the date when it was officially placed on file. Documents filed with the Recorder are considered to be placed on open notice to the general public of that county. Claims against property usually are given a priority on the basis of the time and the date they are recorded with the most preferred claim going to the earliest one recorded and the next claim going to the next earliest one recorded, and so on. This type of notice is called constructive notice or legal notice.
recurring costs The regular and continuing costs of a buyer incurred in the closing of an escrow to acquire property. Distinguished from non-recurring costs. severalty Ownership by one person. sheriff s sale A public auction of property held by the sheriff pursuant to a court order to seize and sell the property to satisfy a money judgment. tax deductions Expenses related to real estate ownership that may be deducted from income for purposes of income tax reporting. tax foreclosure sale The sale of a property by the County Tax Collector to pay unpaid property taxes.
title Indicates fee position of lawful ownership and right to property. Bundle of Rights possessed by an owner. Combination of all elements constituting proof of ownership. title conditions Encumbrances such as liens, conditions, covenants and restrictions and easements which affect title to property. title insurance A form of indemnity insurance in which title insurance company holds harmless a person who acquires an interest in real estate against a monetary loss caused by an encumbrance on title that is not listed in the policy and the insured was unaware of when the policy was issued.