Oregon 30-Hour Real Estate Law Practice Test

Which party usually provides title insurance to the buyer?

1. The seller

2. The buyer's lender

3. The buyer

4. The state

The correct answer is: The buyer

In real estate transactions, it is typically the responsibility of the buyer to obtain title insurance. Title insurance protects the buyer against potential issues related to the title of the property, such as undiscovered liens, claims of ownership, or other defects that could affect the buyer's legal rights to the property. When a buyer secures title insurance, it provides them with peace of mind and financial protection by ensuring that they have clear ownership once the property purchase is completed. In many transactions, while the buyer may choose their own title insurance company, the lender will often require the buyer to obtain a lender's title insurance policy to protect the lender's interests in the property. However, the initial acquisition of title insurance is typically a cost that falls on the buyer. While sellers and lenders may play roles in the transaction, it is the buyer who customarily initiates and pays for their own title insurance. This is crucial information for buyers to understand as they prepare for a real estate transaction.