The document summarizes key information contained in a real estate title report. A title report provides a complete history of a property, including its location, owners, and taxes owed. It also reveals any previously unknown issues like easements, encroachments, or liens that must be addressed before closing. Easements grant others permission to use the land, which could restrict future use. Encroachments involve elements that cross property lines. And liens like mortgages listed on the report must be paid off in order listed.

1. About Real Estate Title Report
Review
By Joseph Treff

2. Introduction
• An honors graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Joseph
Treff earned his juris doctor while serving with the
school’s charity club. Joseph Treff has served as a
partner at Treff & Lowy, PLLC, since 2001, and has
handled a number of complex real estate
investments, including financing, representations,
and title report reviews.
An essential step in home buying, the title report not
only contains a variety of important information,
but it also ensures the buyer has protections in place
against any issues that may arise before or after the
sale.

3. Real Estate Title Report Review
• The title report is a complete history of the house and its
property and includes the exact location of the home within
its property lines, the names of the titleholders, and real
property taxes due. Also called a preliminary report, it can
uncover previously unknown issues that must be resolved
before the sale can be closed.
Three main issues to be aware of when examining a title
report are easements, encroachments, and liens. When a
landowner grants another individual or entity permission to
use his or her land for a specific purpose, such as utility lines
or lanes of travel, it is called an easement. While easements by
themselves may not dissuade the buyer, potential buyers
should consider them, as they can restrict what he or she may
do with the newly purchased property.

4. Conclusion
• Similar to easements, encroachments are
elements of a home or property, such as fences,
that cross property lines. Finally, the title report
will note any mortgage liens that exist against
the house or property. Listed in descending
order of lien amount, the liens must be paid
prior to closing and as they appear on the report.