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Real Estate Law

David Rocheford Jr.

David R. Rocheford

 

100 Erdman Way - Suite 101

Leominster, MA  01453

Office: (978) 847-0104

Fax: (978)383-4776

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Thank you!

 

I have had a lot of questions recently regarding the topic of marketable vs. insurable title. They are both terms of art, in that they are unique terms to the legal and title industry.  They are not easily defined with comparable examples.


When a title is marketable it means that the chain of ownership (title) to a particular piece of property is clear and free from defects.  And as such, it can be marketed for sale without additional effort by the seller or potential buyer.

 

Picture of House

In contrast an insurable title does have a known defect or

defects in the chain of title.  However, with an insurable title, a title insurance company has agreed in advance to provide insurance against the defects ever affecting the ownership or value of the property.  


If a property does not have a current, valid title insurance policy and there is a defect in the chain of title, then the defect must be cured or repaired before a seller can convey marketable title.  If there is a current policy, rather than curing or fixing the defect, which can be very expensive and time consuming, the title insurance company may elect to insure against any problem the defect may cause in the future.  That is, the insurance company agrees to fix the problem only when - and IF - it ever becomes an immediate problem.  Some defects in title may never become a problem or threaten the value or ownership of the property.  Title insurance companies, like any insurance companies are in the business of risk management, and whenever possible would rather defer the risk then to pay to address/correct it.


One of the biggest problems with insurable title is that a buyer of a property accepting insurable title (rather than marketable title) is taking a risk of their own.  It's not that the defects may ever threaten the value or ownership of the property, but that upon resale of the property the next buyer may not be as willing to accept the insurable title and may demand a marketable title. 


Be sure that you know the type of title the seller intends to convey before you sign a purchase contract.

 

Housing Starts Up 26% In Last 12 Months

  

Picture of House
Sometimes, the housing data headlines tell just half the tale. The stories on May's Housing Starts figures are proving to be a terrific illustration.

Tuesday, the Census Bureau released its monthly Housing Starts report. A "housing start" is a home on which construction has started.

 

The report is separated by property type with a separate count for single family homes such as detached residences and town homes; for multiple-unit homes such as 2-unit, 3-unit and 4-unit structures; and, for buildings of 5-units of more such as new condominiums.

 

In May, Housing Starts fell 4.8 percent nationwide. This runs contrary to recent housing market statistics and home builder confidence data which both have suggested a recovery.  Read more here.

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Please contact me if my office may be of service to you or your real estate clients or if you have any questions about the subject of this e-mail.

 

Sincerely,

/s/

David R. Rocheford, Jr.

Attorney