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 person to receive the benefits of a trust when distribution occurs. Secondary beneficiaries may be nominated if the primary beneficiary predeceased the trust distribution. The ...

The assessment sales ratio is a way of measuring the accuracy of a property’s assessed value when compared to the property’s selling price. This measurement gives the ...

Public record in an assessment district listing the assessed valuation of all its assessed property. ...

Same as term appraisal: Valuation assessment of real property by an expert third party for the following purposes: developing a realistic market price. setting a market value at the time ...

Fee charged by a mortgage lender to a buyer, seller or both for transferring a mortgage when the mortgage property is sold. ...

Additional utility an individual receives when purchasing an additional unit of a commodity or service. Represents a trade off between units of cost and unit of utility. For example, an ...

Style of architecture originating at the German Bauhaus, or architectural institute, in the 1920's associated with the International School of architecture. The Bauhaus style emphasized ...

The definition of adjoining properties describes two or more real estate properties, lots, or parcels that shared a boundary. A property that shares a common border with another is ...

Lender has an equity interest in the property that is the subject of the loan. The lender shares in the increase in market price of the property as well as any net income generated. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions