A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
The Following is a glossary terms that you may find during Title Work. Feel free to scroll through the list or select a letter at the top to find a certain letter. Not all letters have terms but those that are blue are links to that letter on the page.
Abstract-
a brief summary.
Abstract of Title-
A summary of the conveyances, transfers and other facts appearing of record and relied upon as evidence of title to real property.
Access Right-
A landowner's right to have ingress to and egress from the property to a public street.
Adjoining Owners-
Owners of two or more parcels of real property that are contiguous to each other.
Administratrix-
A woman administrator.
Advances-
Money paid before proper time of payment.
Agreement of Sale-
An agreement entered into for the sale and purchase of property.
All-Inclusive Deed of Trust-
A deed of trust securing payment of an obligation owing under a prior deed of trust.
Appraisal-
Statement of value.
Assessed Value-
Value of property for taxation purposes.
Assumption Fee-
The charge made by a lender when a buyer assumes seller's existing loan.
Assumption of Mortgage-
An agreement in which buyer agrees to be liable for payment of an existing note secured by a mortgage or deed of trust.
Blanket Mortgage or Deed of Trust-
A mortgage or deed of trust on more than one lot or parcel.
Building Contract-
Agreement for the construction of a proposed structure.
C.C.-
Civil Code.
C.C.P.-
Code of Civil Procedure.
c.t.a.-
With will annexed.
Chain of Title-
A chronological list of documents comprising the record history of title to a specific parcel of real property.
Cloud on Title-
A semblance or claim of title that is in fact invalid.
Code-
A collection of laws.
Confirmation of Sale-
Court approval of sale by a personal representative, guardian, or conservator.
Contract-
An agreement between two or more parties to do, or not to do a particular act.
Contract of Sale-
An agreement entered into for the sale and purchase of property.
Convey-
To transfer title to property from one person to another.
Conveyance-
A written instrument transferring title to or an interest in land.
Deed of Sale-
Evidence of a purchaser's acquisition of legal title at a judicial sale, subject to redemption rights, if any.
Deed of Trust-
A three party security instrument conveying title to land as security for the performance of an obligation. Also called "trust deed.".
Domicile-
Fixed and permanent home.
Easement-
A limited right or interest in the land of another entitling the holder to some use, privilege, or benefit.
Easement Appurtenant-
An easement created for the benefit of and attaching to a parcel of land.
Easement in Gross-
An easement created for the benefit of a person rather than for a parcel of land.
Encroachment-
The extension of an improvement onto land of another.
Endorsement-
The act of signing a name on the back of a check or promissory note to evidence its transfer; also, a written document attached to an insurance policy expanding or limiting coverage.
Entirety-
A form of cotenancy in which owners are jointly seized of the whole.
Escrow-
A transaction in which an impartial third party acts upon instructions for both seller and buyer, or for both borrower and lender, in carrying out instructions; delivering papers and documents; and, disbursing funds.
Estate-
The degree, quantity, nature, and extent of a person's interest in real property.
Estate Tax-
A tax upon the privilege of transmitting title to property of a decedent.
Examiner-
A person who analyzes a chain of title to land and expresses an opinion thereon.
Facsimile-
An exact and precise copy.
Foreclosure-
Enforcement of a lien by sale of property given as security.
Gift-
A voluntary conveyance or transfer of property without a valuable consideration.
Grant-
A transfer of real property by deed.
Grantee-
The person acquiring title to real property by a deed.
Grantor-
The person transferring title to real property by a deed.
Installment Land Sales Contract-
An agreement entered into for the sale and purchase of property under which purchase price is paid in installments.
Instrument-
A formal, legal, written document.
Land Contract-
An agreement entered into for the sale and purchase of land.
Legal Description-
A description of real property sufficient to locate it on the ground by reference to government surveys or approved recorded maps.
Living Trust-
A trust becoming operative in the lifetime of the person creating it.
Loan Policy-
A policy of title insurance insuring the interest of a lender.
Mechanic's Lien-
A statutory lien in favor of persons contributing labor, material, supplies, etc. to a work of improvement upon real property.
Nonjudicial Foreclosure Sale-
Sale of property pursuant to the power of sale provisions contained in a security instrument.Note
Note-
A common reference to a promissory note.
Owner's Policy-
A policy of title insurance insuring the title of an owner.
Ownership-
The right to use and enjoy property to the exclusion of others.
Parcel-
Any area of land contained within a single description.
Personal Property-
Movable property; property which is not real property.
Plat-
A plot, map, or chart.
Policy of Title Insurance-
A contract indemnifying against loss resulting from a defect in title to the interest or lien in real property insured.
Quiet Title Action-
The name of an action brought to establish a title to property or to remove a cloud on the title.
Quit claim Deed-
A form of deed containing no warranties and conveying the current right, title and interest of the grantor, if any, to real property.
Real Property-
Immovable property such as land, buildings, improvements, appurtenances, and air space.
Record-
To incorporate into the public records of the County Recorder; also, the system of public records imparting constructive notice of title to claims, or interests, in real property.
Recording-
The act of filing documents for record in the office of the County Recorder.
Release-
A document extinguishing the lien of a mortgage, judgment, mechanic's lien, etc also, a document absolving another of liability.
Sale and Leaseback-
A transaction in which a grantee in a deed leases the same property back to the grantor without a change in its possession.
Sales Contract-
An agreement entered into for the sale and purchase of property.
Satisfaction-
The performance of the terms of an obligation.
Searcher-
A title company employee who assembles the links required to complete a chain of title to real property.
Survey-
A process of measuring a parcel of land and ascertaining its area and boundaries.
Tax Deed-
A deed issued to a purchaser following a sale necessitated by the non-payment of real property taxes.
Tax Sale-
Sale conducted for the purpose of collecting delinquent taxes assessed to a parcel of real property.
Tax Search-
An examination of the public records of taxing authorities to determine the tax status of a parcel of real property.
Termite Report-
A report of an inspection for wood-destroying pests by a person licensed by the state.
Title-
The sum total of a person's right or the extent of his/her interest in real property.
Title Insurance-
Assurance of indemnification for loss occasioned by defects in the title to real property or to an interest therein which is insured.
Title Plant-
The records of a title company assembled and maintained for the purpose of issuing title insurance on real property.
Title Policy-
A contract indemnifying against loss resulting from a defect in the title to the interest or lien in real property insured.
Title Search-
The assembled links required to complete a chain of title to a parcel of real property.
Tract-
A parcel of land divided into smaller parcels called lots.
Trust-
A fiduciary relationship in which a trustee holds title to property for the benefit of a beneficiary.
Trust Deed-
Same as a deed of trust; a three party security instrument conveying title to land as security for the performance of an obligation.
Trustee-
The fiduciary holding title to property for the benefit of another.
Trustee's Deed-
The deed given by the trustee under a deed of trust when the secured property is sold under power of sale.
Trustee's Sale-
Foreclosure sale conducted by the trustee in the exercise of a power of sale.
Warranty Deed-
A deed containing express covenants as to good title and right to possession.
Zone-
Area in a community designated for specified use and purpose.
Zoning-
Governmental regulation of the use of real property.