Preliminary Title Report (or Title Commitment)

The initial document generated when a policy of Title Insurance is ordered.  The Title Report shows all of the existing encumbrances on the title to the property.  This includes liens, as well as any other interest in the property held by someone else, such as an easement. A prudent buyer will have the Title Report reviewed by an attorney to identify any encumbrances of concern. It is rare for there to be an issue… but it happens. Only an attorney is qualified to interpret a Title Report.

A title company may offer a courtesy "title review." Note, however, that the title company's interests are not identical to yours. For example, the title company likely will not call out a shared driveway easement because the title company has no concern with it. The buyer? Well, that's a different matter. Don't rely on the title company's review of title.