Residential Property Preliminary Title Report (Owner & Encumbrance)

A preliminary title report, also known as Owner and Encumbrance (O&E) Report, often called a current owner search, identifies the legal owner of a property and lists all recorded claims against it. It reveals financial liens (mortgages, tax liens) and non-financial restrictions (easements, covenants) that can impact property value, usage, and transfer. It is prepared early in the real estate closing process to identify issues that could threaten a clean transfer of title.

Key Components:

• Ownership and transfers: It identifies the last recorded owner based on public land records, and provides legal definition of the property. It also outlines the chain of title (ownership transfer history) over the past 20-30 years.
• Encumbrances: Lists third-party claims that restrict the owner’s rights, such as mortgages, deeds of trust, judgment liens, and unpaid tax liens. It also identifies easements (utility rights), zoning restrictions, and restrictive covenants if applicable.
• Usage: Buyers use this report to review the status of the title, allowing them to determine what issues need to be addressed before closing.

Residential Property Preliminary Title Report includes:

Legal Description & APN

Owner’s Name, Mailing Address, and Vesting Deed Info

Chain of Title

Open Mortgages/Deeds of Trust

Open Judgment & Foreclosure Data

Open involuntary liens (HOA liens, mechanic’s liens, tax liens, IRS liens, UCC filings, etc.)

Easement Restrictions

Delinquent Taxes

Document Images (no extra charge for documents – regardless of how many pages are available, it is all included in the set price of the report)

Delivery time: 12-24 business hours