Preparing for closing? Be sure to protect yourself with title insurance!

Investing in a home is a large financial obligation that isn’t limited to the agreed on sale price. Additional costs often include lender fees, appraisal fees, the cost of a home inspection, and usually a realtor’s commission. All of those expenses add up quickly, but one additional expense that is a must for your protection is the cost of an owner’s policy of title insurance.

First National Title is the Arkansas title insurance company that homeowners know that they can always trust! Since 1997, our team has grown from two partners into almost 200, with 22 locations throughout Arkansas. We know that you have a lot of choices when it comes to title insurance companies, which is why we are committed to providing the best service possible on every transaction. We are an independent title company, in that we are not owned by a financial institution or a real estate agency. What this means is that we must earn your business with each transaction through our service and commitment to you. Title Insurance is very important to protect yourself from out of pocket expenses that could be required to resolve defects in title, commonly known as “title clouds.” Here are some of the most common title clouds:

Unmet financial obligations-If the seller owes legal judgments, HOA dues, child support, or back taxes, there could be liens on the title. Those expenses must be fully resolved before the title can be transferred.

Inaccurate Paperwork-Typos and other innocent mistakes are usually cheap and easy to fix, but it’s important to find them, and hopefully early, before they delay the sale.

Fraud and Forgery-In some cases, there might be problems with fraud. Forged documents aren’t nearly as common as a buyer or seller signing someone else’s name without their knowledge, but both can cause problems. Even if the act was done with honorable intentions, it’s still illegal.

Unknown Heirs-If someone dies without leaving a will, or neglects to disclose property assets during a divorce, there is a chance that a close relative could have a legitimate claim to the property.

If you have any questions, Contact us online, or at any of our 22 convenient Arkansas locations listed below!