Title & Property Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the title, deed, and property terms that come up in every real estate transaction — from the team behind Land Logic's title intelligence platform.

Title & property terms

Title Commitment: A title insurer's promise to issue a policy on a property, listing the conditions, exceptions, and requirements that must be met before closing.
Title Search: An examination of public records to determine and confirm a property's legal ownership and find any claims, liens, or defects on the title.
Chain of Title: The chronological sequence of ownership transfers for a property, from the earliest recorded owner to the current one.
Deed: The legal document that transfers ownership of real property from one party (grantor) to another (grantee).
Warranty Deed: A deed in which the seller guarantees clear title to the property, offering the buyer the strongest protection.
Quitclaim Deed: A deed that transfers whatever interest the grantor has — with no warranty that the title is clear.
Deed of Trust: A security instrument used in many states instead of a mortgage, involving a borrower, lender, and neutral trustee.
Lien: A legal claim against a property for an unpaid debt, which must typically be satisfied before the property can be sold with clear title.
Encumbrance: Any claim, lien, easement, or restriction that limits the use or transfer of a property.
Easement: A right to use another person's land for a specific purpose, such as a utility line or shared driveway.
Cloud on Title: Any document, claim, or encumbrance that may impair or cast doubt on the validity of a property's title.
Title Defect: An issue in the public record — such as an unreleased lien or error — that affects clear ownership of a property.
Lis Pendens: A recorded notice that a lawsuit is pending which may affect the title to a property.
Lien Search: A targeted search of records to identify any liens, judgments, or encumbrances recorded against a property or owner.
Tax Certificate: A document confirming the status of property taxes — whether paid, due, or delinquent — on a parcel.
Trustee Sale Guarantee (TSG): A title product issued before a non-judicial foreclosure that identifies parties entitled to notice and the property's lien status.
Real Estate Owned (REO): Property owned by a lender — typically a bank — after an unsuccessful foreclosure auction.
Owner & Encumbrance (O&E): An abbreviated title report identifying the current owner, vesting, and recorded liens or encumbrances.
HELOC: A Home Equity Line of Credit — a revolving loan secured by the equity in a property, often verified during title work.
Grantor / Grantee: The grantor transfers an interest in real property; the grantee receives it.
Assessor's Parcel Number (APN): A unique number assigned by a county assessor to identify a specific parcel of land for tax purposes.
Recording: The act of filing a deed, mortgage, or other document in the public record to give legal notice of an interest in property.
Escrow: A neutral third-party arrangement that holds funds and documents until all conditions of a real estate transaction are met.
Judgment Lien: A lien placed on a debtor's property as the result of a court judgment for an unpaid debt.
Mechanic's Lien: A claim filed by a contractor or supplier for unpaid work or materials furnished to improve a property.
Foreclosure: The legal process by which a lender recovers the balance of a loan from a borrower in default by forcing the sale of the secured property.
Property Profile: A summary report of a property's ownership, characteristics, sales history, and recorded documents.
Underwriter: The title insurance company that backs a policy and assumes the risk of covered title defects.
RESPA: The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act — a federal law governing disclosures and practices in residential settlement services.
Settlement / Closing: The final step of a real estate transaction where documents are signed, funds disbursed, and ownership transfers.