Buying a home is an exciting process, especially in today’s hot real estate market. One part of any home purchase is a title search. While most of the time this process runs smoothly, sometimes a title search uncovers defects in the title, requiring the buyers to file a quiet title action.
What is a quiet title action?
A quiet title action is a legal claim that is filed in order to clarify who legally owns a specific piece of property. This may be necessary if the rightful owner of the property is in question. Quiet title actions resolve any conflicting claims regarding ownership of the property by removing ambiguities on the title. Once the quiet title action is resolved, the owner of the property fully possesses it, and is protected against future claims of ownership.
When might a quiet title action be pursued?
Quiet title actions may take place if a lender has a lien on the property. The death of the title owners may also lead to quiet title actions. In addition, cases of adverse possession could lead to quiet title actions. Also, if the property sat unoccupied for a long time period, this could lead to a quiet title action. Boundary disputes and surveying errors could also lead to a quiet title action.
Learn more about real estate law
Quiet title actions may be necessary in order for a buyer to fully possess a piece of property. However, they are a legal process that many homebuyers are unfamiliar with. Therefore, it can help to discuss the situation with an attorney. This post is for informational purposes only and does not contain legal advice.