Common Title Issues That Can Delay Your Closing
You have found the perfect home, your financing is in place, and closing day is on the calendar. Then the title search returns a problem that puts everything on hold. Title issues are more common than most buyers and sellers in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties realize and knowing what to watch for can save you weeks of frustration.
Outstanding Liens and Judgments
One of the most common title problems is discovering that the property has unpaid debts, such as tax liens, contractor liens, or court judgments against the seller. These must be resolved or paid off before the title can transfer cleanly to the buyer.
Clerical Errors in Public Records
Even small mistakes in public records can create significant headaches during a real estate transaction. Title searches sometimes reveal issues that trace back to simple human error, such as misspelled names, missing signatures, and transposed parcel numbers or lot identifiers.
Boundary and Survey Disputes
Property lines are not always as straightforward as they appear, and conflicts between neighbors or discrepancies in older surveys can surface during the title review. Common boundary-related issues include:
- Fences or structures built over the property line
- Conflicting surveys from different time periods
- Encroachments by neighboring properties
- Gaps or overlaps in legal descriptions between adjoining parcels
Easements
An easement grants someone else the right to use a portion of the property for a specific purpose, such as a utility company accessing power lines or a neighbor crossing through to reach their own land. Undisclosed easements can affect how you plan to use the property and may reduce its value.
Undisclosed or Missing Heirs
When a property is inherited, there is always a risk that an heir was overlooked or not properly notified during the probate process. A previously unknown heir can come forward and assert a legal claim to the property, which creates a cloud on the title that must be cleared before the sale can proceed.
Restrictive Covenant Violations
Some properties are subject to covenants that limit what you can build, how you can use the land, or what modifications are allowed. If the current owner has violated one of these restrictions, the issue must be addressed before the title company approves the transfer.
How The Moio-Iseman Group Can Help
Title problems don’t have to derail your transaction when you have an experienced team watching for red flags early. Our agents help protect your investment by:
- Recommending reputable title companies and attorneys
- Reviewing title commitments before closing
- Coordinating with all parties to resolve issues quickly
- Advising on title insurance options
- Flagging potential concerns during the contract phase
- Keeping the transaction on track through clear communication
Contact Us Now
Is a title issue threatening to delay your closing or complicate your home purchase? Waiting to address these problems only gives them more time to grow. Call The Moio-Iseman Group at 724-468-8841 to connect with a trusted real estate agent in Pennsylvania who will help you identify and resolve title concerns before they put your transaction at risk.