Real property isn’t like personal property. You don’t buy a house or an office building the way you buy a pizza or a magazine subscription. The title to a piece of land can change from your hand to someone else even without your hand anywhere near that transaction. This is because of the way ownership transfers in writing.
In Texas, titles to real estate are kept on file at the County Clerk’s Office. Original documents are recorded and filed to confirm the rightful owner of a piece of real property. A title company will research the transfer of title from one owner to the next to make sure the document you receive at closing is a proper transfer of ownership of the land you seek to own from a person or entity who actually owns it.
Too many people try the DYI approach to purchasing real estate in order to “save a little money.” And sellers are not always trying to pull a fast one, but a savvy buyer will choose to purchase title insurance to protect against claims of ownership from other parties, from liens, and from misunderstandings due to boundary. The money you might save is generally not worth the risk you face purchasing property blindly. Take it from us, DO purchase title insurance. You’ll thank me later.
For any other Property Law questions, call us at (832) 305-7694.