American Land Title Association (ALTA)
Definition of "American Land Title Association (ALTA)"
The label American Land Title Association, also known as ALTA, is a trade association that helps in managing the title insurance industry. Another focus of ALTA is the abstract of title of properties, tying the property’s title to a specific piece of real estate. The main goal of the association is to protect customers and aims to correct industry oversights.
How does ALTA work?
Some of the ALTA members are abstracters, title agents, and title insurance companies that are active within the association. Almost all of them who work on title records have an ALTA membership. For those wondering how to get title insurance, know that the member’s end product is the title insurance policy that can either be for the owner, protecting them or for the lender, protecting them. ALTA itself merely provides industry-tailored forms that can be used by any real estate professional.
The role of ALTA in real estate is required before the closing of any real estate transaction. The abstract of title needs to be complete before closing, and a new title search and a title policy are required before the sale of any property or application for a refinanced loan. These explorations in the title’s history are necessary to discover any liens or encumbrances on any particular property.
What does ALTA do?
The American Land Title Association’s work is highly complex, and it includes over 6,000 members from one-county operations to national title insurers. Their goal is to develop the knowledge and skills of those working in real estate transactions, improve the marketplace, and help to standardize products used by the industry. They are in regular contact with Congress members, as well as the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
With their focus on developing a better understanding of the industry and improving the forms used freely by insurers in the US, the goal is to establish better practices within the industry.
Popular Real Estate Terms
An opening with a hinged cover allowing access from one level to another in a structure. Often installed in a roof or the floor of a building to allow the entrance of people and materials ...
See annuity due. ...
Continuous beam on top of supporting walls, usually constructed of concrete and often having steel rods for additional strength placed within it. Supplies lateral support as well as ...
Contractual provision specifying a dollar amount or rate an individual to the contract must pay for not conforming to its terms. An example is the fee charged for a late mortgage payment. ...
Written agreement in which the lessee pays rent to the lessor for the use of real property for a stated time period. An example is the tenant's rental of an apartment or office space. ...
Mortgage placed on a property after a previous mortgage. It can be a second, third, etc. mortgage. A junior mortgage is subordinate to the terms of a previous mortgage. Junior mortgages ...
See common law. ...
The tenant is forced to leave the premises if he complains about the poor condition of the apartment or office space he has leased. This type of eviction is illegal in many states. ...
Amount paid to a person or business for bringing the parties together in a business arrangement. The finder may also act in a consulting capacity. The fee may be a flat amount or rate, a ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.