Definition of "Property Title"

The term “property title” is relatively common and often used in the real estate industry, which is why it’s useful to know what it really means. While the term itself is known, it is also confused with “property deed” but they are not interchangeable. So what is a property title? 

The definition of property title is the legal right of ownership by an individual or party of a property that is either owned or partially owned. This legal right is not only evidence of ownership and lawful possession, but it also lays down the rights other people have that share ownership of the property in regards to the way the property is used, sold, or modified.

Property title can be about ownership, occupation, or possession, along with the right of possession. The most common types of titles are personal property titles and real property titles, and we’ll look at each of them.

Personal Property Title

The meaning of personal property title is an individual’s right of ownership over things that are not real property. These are movable personal property, and it isn’t generally taxed. Personal property can be corporeal (jewelry, animals, merchandise) or incorporeal (patents, copyrights, stocks, bonds).

Real Property Titles

Unlike personal property, real property, as it refers to cars and real estate, comes with a title that shows ownership. In case the real property is sold, the title is reassigned to the new owner. The real property that is sold must be owned entirely by the seller and not extending to a credit line.

Types of Real Estate Titles

There are several types of real estate titles, some of which might be familiar to you or at least sound familiar even if you’re unaware of what they meant. We’ll take a look at them and explain everything.

 

  • Tenancy in common - When two or more people share a real estate, each holds a “tenants in common” title for their part of the property
  • Tenants by entirety - When a married couple shares a real estate, the real estate title is shared by the two. Upon death, the remaining spouse gets the whole title.
  • Joint tenancy - When two or more people share a real estate, each having equal rights over the property.
  • Community property - A property purchased during marriage is split between the two spouses, each having the right to sell or transfer their half of the property to another.

 

  • Sole ownership - one individual or business is holding the real property title.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

The return by owners of a property investment usually through a depreciation allowance. a clause in a contract permitting the prior owner of real estate to recover under certain ...

Agreement between a lending institution and borrower where the borrower agrees to extend or spread the collateral of a loan to additional properties beyond the original mortgaged property. ...

Material used for covering the surfaces of walls or ceilings. Plaster used to be made from plaster of paris, but is now primarily made from cement mixed with sand and water. After plaster ...

(1) Judgment against a defendant who does not respond to the plaintiffs lawsuit or fails to appear in court at the hearing or trial date. (2) Judgment issued by the court against the ...

Provision in a lease agreement in which the lessee is given the right to buy the property at the end of lease term. In many cases, the option price is attractive to encourage acquisition. ...

A public foreclosure sale where public notice is given anyone is allowed to participate. Normally, a public sale occurs because of the property owner's failure to pay taxes. ...

Uncertainties associated with real property including lack of insurance coverage in the event of fire or injury, high crime area, and environmental problems. This risk may be reduced ...

Appraisal by summation is an Alias for Replacement Cost A.K.A. Cost Approach, which is one of the approaches an Appraiser can go through in order to assign a Market Value to a ...

Money payments to be delayed for a future date or extended over a period of time. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions