The Eagle Policy offers additional coverage

eagle policy

The Eagle Policy of Title Insurance

The Eagle Policy provides more coverage than any previous policy offered.  Some of the new coverages are completely new and never before offered by any title insurer.

This policy includes the following coverage:

  1. Your Title is lost or taken because of a violation of any covenant, condition or restriction, which occurred before You acquired Your Title, even if the covenant, condition or restriction is excepted in Schedule B.
  2. You are forced to correct or remove an existing violation of any covenant, condition or restriction affecting the Land, even if the covenant,condition or restriction is excepted in Schedule B. However, You are not covered for any violation that relates to:
    1. any obligation to perform maintenance or repair on the Land; or
    2. environmental protection of any kind, including hazardous or toxic conditions or substances

    unless there is a notice recorded in the Public Records, describing any part of the Land, claiming a violation exists. Our liability for this Covered Risk is limited to the extent of the violation stated in that notice.

  3. You do not have actual vehicular and pedestrian access to and from the Land, based upon a legal right.
  4. Someone else claims to have rights affecting Your Title because of fraud, duress, incompetency or incapacity.
  5. Someone else has an encumbrance on Your Title.
  6. Someone else has a lien on Your Title, including a:
    1. lien of real estate taxes or assessments imposed on Your Title by a governmental authority that are due or payable, but unpaid;
    2. Mortgage;
    3. judgment, state or federal tax lien;
    4. charge by a homeowner’s or condominium association; or
    5. lien, occurring before or after the Policy Date, for labor and material furnished before the Policy Date.
  7. Any of Covered Risks 1 through 6 occurring after the Policy Date.
  8. Your Title is defective. Some of these defects are:
    1. Someone else’s failure to have authorized a transfer or conveyance of your Title.
    2. Someone else’s failure to create a valid document by electronic means.
    3. A document upon which Your Title is based is invalid because it was not properly signed, sealed, acknowledged, delivered or recorded.
    4. A document upon which Your Title is based was signed using a falsified, expired, or otherwise invalid power of attorney.
    5. A document upon which Your Title is based was not properly filed, recorded, or indexed in the Public Records.
    6. A defective judicial or administrative proceeding.
  9. Someone else has a right to limit Your use of the Land.
  10. Someone else has an Easement on the Land.
  11. Someone else claims to have rights affecting Your Title because of forgery or impersonation.
  12. Someone else has rights affecting Your Title because of leases, contracts, or options.
  13. Someone else owns an interest in Your Title.
  14. The violation or enforcement of those portions of any law or government regulation concerning:
    1. building;
    2. zoning;
    3. land use;
    4. improvements on the Land;
    5. land division; or
    6. environmental protection,

    if there is a notice recorded in the Public Records, describing any part of the Land, claiming a violation exists or declaring the intention to enforce the law or regulation. Our liability for this Covered Risk is limited to the extent of the violation or enforcement stated in that notice.

  15. An enforcement action based on the exercise of a governmental police power not covered by Covered Risk 14 if there is a notice recorded in the Public Records, describing any part of the Land, of the enforcement action or intention to bring an enforcement action. Our liability for this Covered Risk is limited to the extent of the enforcement action stated in that notice.
  16. Because of an existing violation of a subdivision law or regulation affecting the Land:
    1. You are unable to obtain a building permit;
    2. You are required to correct or remove the violation; or
    3. someone else has a legal right to, and does, refuse to perform a contract to purchase the Land, lease it or make a Mortgage loan on it.

    The amount of Your insurance for this Covered Risk is subject to Your Deductible Amount and Our Maximum Dollar Limit of Liability shown in Schedule A.

  17. You lose Your Title to any part of the Land because of the right to take the Land by condemning it, if:
    1. there is a notice of the exercise of the right recorded in the Public Records and the notice describes any part of the Land; or
    2. the taking happened before the Policy Date and is binding on You if You bought the Land without Knowing of the taking.
  18. You are forced to remove or remedy Your existing structures, or any part of them – other than boundary walls or fences – because any portion was built without obtaining a building permit from the proper government office. The amount of Your insurance for this Covered Risk is subject to Your Deductible Amount and Our Maximum Dollar Limit of Liability shown in Schedule A.
  19. You are forced to remove or remedy Your existing structures, or any part of them, because they violate an existing zoning law or zoning regulation. If You are required to remedy any portion of Your existing structures, the amount of Your insurance for this Covered Risk is subject to Your Deductible Amount and Our Maximum Dollar Limit of Liability shown in Schedule A.
  20. You cannot use the Land because use as a single-family residence violates an existing zoning law or zoning regulation.
  21. You are forced to remove Your existing structures because they encroach onto Your neighbor’s land. If the encroaching structures are boundary walls or fences, the amount of Your insurance for this Covered Risk is subject to Your Deductible Amount and Our Maximum Dollar Limit of Liability shown in Schedule A.
  22. Someone else has a legal right to, and does, refuse to perform a contract to purchase the Land, lease it or make a Mortgage loan on it because Your neighbor’s existing structures encroach onto the Land.
  23. You are forced to remove Your existing structures which encroach onto an Easement or over a building set-back line, even if the Easement orbuilding set-back line is excepted in Schedule B.
  24. Your existing structures are damaged because of the exercise of a right to maintain or use any Easement affecting the Land, even if the Easement isexcepted in Schedule B.
  25. Your existing improvements (or a replacement or modification made to them after the Policy Date), including lawns, shrubbery or trees, are damagedbecause of the future exercise of a right to use the surface of the Land for the extraction or development of minerals, water or any other substance,even if those rights are excepted or reserved from the description of the Land or excepted in Schedule B.
  26. Someone else tries to enforce a discriminatory covenant, condition or restriction that they claim affects Your Title which is based upon race, color,religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
  27. A taxing authority assesses supplemental real estate taxes not previously assessed against the Land for any period before the Policy Date becauseof construction or a change of ownership or use that occurred before the Policy Date.
  28. Your neighbor builds any structures after the Policy Date — other than boundary walls or fences — which encroach onto the Land.
  29. Your Title is unmarketable, which allows someone else to refuse to perform a contract to purchase the Land, lease it or make a Mortgage loan on it.
  30. Someone else owns an interest in Your Title because a court order invalidates a prior transfer of the title under federal bankruptcy, state insolvency,or similar creditors’ rights laws.
  31. The residence with the address shown in Schedule A is not located on the Land at the Policy Date.
  32. The map, if any, attached to this Policy does not show the correct location of the Land according to the Public Records.

What does Title Insurance Cover?

what does title insurance cover

Question: What are some possible title problems covered by a standard Owner’s Title Policy?

Fraud and Forgery

Those involved in real estate fraud and forgery can be clever and persistent, which can spell trouble for your home purchase.

In a western state, an innocent buyer purchased an attractive home site through a realty company, accepting a notarized deed from the seller, as well as receiving an Owner’s Title Policy.  Then another couple, the true owners of the property (who lived in another locale) suddenly appeared and initiated legal action to prove their interest in the real estate was valid.

Under the owner’s title insurance policy of the innocent buyer, the title company provided a money settlement to protect against financial loss.

As it turned out the forger spent time in advance at the local court house, searching the public records to locate property with out of town owners, who had been in possession for an extended period of time.  The individual involved, then forged and recorded a deed to a fictitious person and assumed the identity of that person before listing the property for sale to an innocent purchaser, handling moot contracts through an answering service.

Fraud and forgery are examples of hidden title hazards that can remain undetected until after a closing, despite the most careful precautions.  Although emphasizing risk elimination, an Owner’s Title Insurance Policy protects financially through negotiation by the insurer with third parties, payment for defending agains an attack on the title as insured, and payment of valid claims.

Conflicting Wills

Conflicts over a will from a deceased former owner may suggest a study topic for law school, but the subject can take on a reality dimension and all too quickly your home ownership is at stake.

After purchasing a residence, the new owner was startled when a brother of the seller claimed an ownership interest and sought a substantial amount of money as his share.  It seemed that their late mother had given the house to the son, who placed the deed in his drawer without recording it at the court house.

Some 20 years later, after the death of the mother, the deed was discovered and then filed.  Permission was granted in probate court to remove the property from the late mother’s estate, and the brother to who the residence initially was given sold the house.  But the other brother appealed the probate court decision, claiming their mother really did not intend to give the house to his sibling.

Ultimately, the appeal was upheld and the new owner faced a significant financial loss.  Since the new owner had acquired owner’s title insurance upon purchasing the real estate, the title company paid the claim, along with an additional amount in legal fees incurred during the defense.

Missing Heirs

When buying a home, it’s important to remember what you don’t know can cost you.

As an example illustrating the need for precautions, the American Land Title Association pointed to a couple who purchased a residence from a widow and her daughter, the only known heirs of the husband and father who died whitout leaving a will.

Soon after the sale, a man appeared – claiming he was the son of the late owner by a former marriage.  As it turned out, he indeed was the son of the deceased man.  This legal heir disapproved of his father’s remarriage and had vanished when the wedding took place.  Nonetheless, the son was entitled to a share of the value of the home, which meant an expensive problem for the unwary couple purchasing the property.

Although the absence of a will hindered discovery of the missing heir in a title search, ALTA said that owner’s title insurance issued at the time of the real estate transaction would have financially protected the couple from the claim by the missing heir.  For a one-time charge at closing, owner’s title insurance will safeguard against problems, including those even an exhaustive search may not reveal.

ALTA reminded that owner’s title insurance is necessary to fully protect a home buyer.  Lender’s title insurance, which is usually required by the mortgage lender, serves as protection only for the lending institution.

Warranty Deed says “Ten Dollars”?

Question: Why does my Warranty Deed say the purchase price is “Ten Dollars”?

Answer: Utah is a non-disclosure state, which means you are not required to disclose the purchase price of your property.  The wording put in the deed protects the confidentiality of the purchase price.

Why Buy Title Insurance.

Question: Why Buy Title Insurance?

Answer: In order to issue title insurance, the title company must search public land records for matters affecting that title.  Many search the “chain of title” back 50 years.  Twenty-five percent of title searches find a title problem that is fixed before the insurance is issued. Some examples of items that can cause a problem are: deeds, wills and trusts that contain improper information, outstanding judgments or tax liens against the property, and easements.  Title companies fix the problems then issue the title insurance

Occasionally, in spite of an exhaustive title search, hidden hazards can emerge after closing.  Things such as mistakes in the public record, previously undisclosed heirs claiming to own the property, or forged deeds could cloud the title.  Owner’s title insurance offers financial protection against these by negotiating with third parties and paying claims and legal fees involved in defending the title.
For more information on reasons why you need title insurance, click here.

Types of Title Insurance

Question: Are there different types of title insurance?

Answer: There are two basic types of title insurance: Lender’s title insurance, also called a Loan Policy, and Owner’s title insurance. Most lenders require a Loan Policy when they issue you a loan.  The Loan Policy is based on the dollar amount of your loan.  It protects the lender’s interests in the property should a problem with the title arise.  The policy amount decreases each year and eventually disappears as the loan is paid off.

Owner’s title insurance is usually issued in the amount of the real estate purchase amount.  It is purchased for a one-time fee at closing and lasts as long as you have and interest in the property.  This may even be after the insured has sold the property.  Only Owner’s title insurance fully protects the buyers should a problem arise with the title that was not uncovered during the title search.  Owner’s title insurance also pays for any legal fees involved in defending a claim to your title.

Real Estate Closing Documents

real estate closing documents

Real Estate Closing Document

If you are involved in land you should understand the basics of real estate closing documents. They may not be exciting, but they are the method used to transfer land and secure loans on real estate.

Conveyance Documents

Conveyance documents are those that transfer (or convey) ownership of land. The most common is the Warranty Deed but there are others such as Special Warranty Deeds, Quit Claim Deeds, Grant, Bargain and Sale Deeds.

Each is different in certain ways but each transfers real estate from sellers to buyers. If buying you always want a Warranty Deed, as it transfer the land to you with the greatest guarantees from the seller.

Loan Closing Documents

Loan documents are used to secure the loan. The most common are the Trust Deed and Trust Deed Note. These two go together and are used by lenders nationwide.

Older loan documents include Mortgages and Real Estate contracts. Both are now rarely used, and are not recommended.

HUD 1 Settlement Statement

In buying or selling land the HUD-1 Settlement statement is the most important. All transaction costs are included on this closing statement. Although it looks similar, this is not a balance sheet nor does the bottom figure show the cost of the transaction.

The bottom lines show the amount of cash to be brought in or paid by the buyers and sellers.

Most Important Documents

There are many closing documents involved in a real estate closing. Many of these documents are to gather or disclose information. While all the documents are important  a few are the most important and should be reviewed carefully.

These are the HUD1 Settlement Statement, the Warranty Deed and the Trust Deed Note. You should review all figures on the the HUD-1 to assure you are not overcharged and all items are paid correctly.

The Warranty Deed is reviewed to assure that your names are spelled correctly and vesting is correct. If there is a loan involved in the transaction review the Trust Deed Note to insure the terms of the loan are correct. This would include loan amount, interest rate, payments, and payments dates.

Recording Of Documents

After closing, several documents are recorded to transfer ownership to the new owner and secure the interest of the lender. These are the Warranty Deed and the Trust Deed (or Deed of Trust).
The original deed is mailed to the new owner after the closing, although the most important step is the recording at the local County Recorder’s Office.

Review Documents At Closing

A mistake often seen at closing is the buyer or seller rushing through the documents, instead of reviewing them and asking questions. While many of the documents are routine and less important, those listed above is reviewed carefully and you should ask any questions necessary to fully understand them.

The HUD-1 Settlement Statement

Settlement statement

The HUD-1 Settlement Statement

The HUD 1 Settlement Statement was created by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is the required closing statement on all real estate transactions which include a bank loan.
Although not required for other real estate transactions, most title companies use it for all transactions.

The form is a victim of congressional legislation, disclosure requirements and years of tweaking, making it unnecessarily complex. In spite of this it is the standard so needs to be understood. The form consists of 3 pages and we will explain each page separately.

I will refer to line numbers when explaining the HUD-1 Settlement Statement. The numbers range from 100 – 1400 and are on each line of pages 1 and 2 of the HUD1.

HUD 1 Page 1

Page 1 contains final figures, totals from page 2 and is divided into 7 sections. Lets look at each section separately.

General Information

This section contains the basic information about buyers, sellers and the property. It includes names, addresses, date of closing etc. A quick review to make sure all information is correct is all that is necessary.

Section 100: Gross Amount Due From Borrower

This section itemizes all charges to the borrower or buyer, except closing costs which are itemized on page 2 and the total entered on line 103 of this page

This section calculates the buyer’s total cost, including purchase price, closing costs and any adjustments for items prepaid by sellers. Prepaid items could include prepaid taxes, rent, assessments etc. Instead of paying these items to seller separately they are incorporated into the total here.

Section 200: Amounts Paid By/For Borrower

This section includes items already paid by buyer or paid for buyer. This would include deposits, earnest money, loan assumptions, or any other figures which reduce the amount paid by buyer at closing.
It also includes adjustments for items unpaid by seller. This includes the pro-ration of the seller’s portion of property taxes, rents deposits etc.

Section 300: Borrower Totals

This section includes 3 lines. The first line is the total from section 100 or Gross Amount Due from Borrower. The second line is the total from section 200 or Amounts Paid By or In Behalf of Borrower.
The third line is the total amount of cash buyer will pay at closing. This is calculated by taking the Gross Amount Due From Borrower section 100 less the amounts paid by or for borrower in section 200.

Section 400: Gross Amounts Due To Seller

This section is the Gross or total amount due to the seller. This includes the sales price and any adjustment for items paid by seller in advance such as prepaid property taxes.

Section 500: Reduction In Amount Due Seller

This section includes all items that reduce the amount to seller at closing. This includes loan payoffs, and loans being assumed. It includes not just costs but any items that reduce the amount to seller at closing. It also includes the closing costs total which are itemized on page 2.

Section 600: Seller Totals

This section includes 3 lines. The first line is the total from section 400 or Gross Amount Due to Seller. The second line is the total from section 500 or Reduction in amount due to Seller.
The third line is the total amount of cash seller will receive at closing. This is calculated by taking the Gross amount due seller section 400 less the costs and other reductions from section 500.

HUD 1 Page 2

Page 2 of the HUD 1 Closing Statement itemizes all closing costs. The buyer costs are in the left column and seller costs in the right column. Both columns are on the right side of the page with the descriptions to the left. These costs are divided into sections and numbered as follows:

700’s – Real Estate Broker Fees

800’s – Loan Fees

900’s – Prepaid Loan Fees

1000’s – Reserves Deposited With Lender

1100’s – Title Charges

1200’s – Government Recording and Transfer Fees

1300’s – Additional Or Any Fees That Don’t Fit In The Above Sections

These fees are totaled at the bottom of the page for both buyer and seller. Buyer’s total is carried over to line 103 of page 1 and seller’s total to line 502 of page 1. By carrying them to the first page they are included in the totals at the bottom page 1, which we already reviewed.

HUD 1 Page 3

Page 3 is a new page on the Settlement Statement. It does not include amounts that are carried over to other pages. Instead, it is for informational purposes. It is divided into 2 sections. The top section is the

Good Faith Estimate.

When you apply for a loan the lender will give a Good Faith Estimate of Fees. This page shows the estimated figures received when you applied for the loan and the actual fees at closing. Most fees cannot vary from the original estimate. Those that can are listed as such.

The second section spells out all the loan terms and should be reviewed carefully if you have a loan.

HUD 1 Review For Buyers

Buyers should review the settlement statement in the following order:

  1. Review the Good Faith Estimate and Loan Terms on Page 3. These should agree with the information previously received from the lender. The Lender can not add fees that did not appear on the original estimate received at time of loan application.
  2. Review page 2. Review the left column of figures and ignore the other as it is the sellers costs. Ask about any fees that you don’t understand or that seem excessive.
  3. Review page 1. The total from page 2 will be carried over and appear on line 103 of page 1. Review just the left column. Section 100 itemizes your total costs and section 200 itemizes items already paid by or for you. Any Earnest Money already paid should appear on line 201 with any other money paid appearing below that. The totals at the bottom are the difference between the two sections, and the amount you will pay at closing.

HUD 1 Review For Sellers

  1. Sellers can ignore page 3 as it only relates to buyers. You should review the settlement statement as follows:
  2. Review page 2. Review the right column of figures only. The left column is the buyers column. Ask about any fees you don’t understand or that seem excessive.
  3. Review page 1. Review just the right column. Section 400 lists all amounts due to the seller. Section 500 lists any reductions to the amount the seller will receive at closing. This includes any payoffs, unpaid taxes, earnest money received etc. The totals at the bottom are the difference between these two sections, and the amount the seller will receive at closing.

Summary

Many people’s eye glaze over the first time a HUD-1 Settlement Statement is explained to them. But after looking it over and asking questions it is easier to understand. Remember you only have to learn it once, as all real estate transactions use the same form.

NOTE

As of 2016 this form has been replaced for most types of real estate transactions.

 

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