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
A company that is terminated within 3 years. According to the tax law, a gain arising from the sale or liquidation of such a business is considered ordinary income to the individual ...
An account into which payment is made for particular expenses to assure that money will be available. An example is a special account the homeowner's attorney establishes for advance ...
Also called functional depreciation. Loss of value that results from improvements that are inadequate, outdated, overly adequate, or improperly designed for today's needs. May be curable or ...
Device that cuts off an electric circuit when the current becomes to strong. ...
Most typically, the definition of real estate spread implies the difference between the price offered by a home buyer and the initial amount asked for by the seller of real property. It ...
Structure built into the water from the land providing a facility for boats to tie up. A dock will often provide utility access ...
Restoring real property to an improved state. The restoration is usually needed because the property's condition has worsened. ...
A method of brick construction where the bricks are laid with their sides facing outward. ...
Return before taxes on the capital invested in real estate property. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.