When researching a property, two terms often come up: ownership reports and title commitments. While both provide insight into a property's legal status, they serve very different purposes and are used in different stages of a real estate transaction. In this article, we break down what each one does—and how an ownership report from Abstract Authority can give you an edge in real estate investing, legal work, or due diligence.
Ownership Report -
- Legal description of the property
- Open liens or encumbrances (such as mortgages or judgments)
- Vesting deed history (commonly 24 to 36 months)
- Tax parcel information and status
Ownership reports are based on a search of public records and are used for informational purposes only. They do not come with title insurance or represent a guarantee of clear title.
Title commitment—
Also known as a title binder—is a formal document issued by a title insurance company that commits to issuing a title insurance policy, provided certain requirements are met. A title commitment includes:
Schedule A: Proposed insured party, property address, policy amounts
- Schedule B, Part I: Requirements that must be satisfied before closing (e.g., payoffs, releases, affidavits)
- Schedule B, Part II: Exceptions to coverage (e.g., easements, covenants, zoning restrictions)
- Effective date and underwriting company details
- A title commitment is a legal precursor to a title insurance policy. It’s typically prepared during a formal escrow transaction and involves more extensive underwriting and liability for the issuing company.
Benefits of Ownership Reports -
For many users—especially investors, attorneys, brokers, or researchers—ownership reports are a more efficient tool when a full title commitment isn’t necessary.
Speed
Ownership reports can often be completed within 24–48 hours, compared to the longer timelines required for title commitments. This is ideal when you’re evaluating multiple properties or need fast answers.
Affordability
They are significantly cheaper than title commitments, making them cost-effective for bulk research, tax lien evaluations, or preliminary due diligence.
Actionable Insight Without Closing
Not all property research leads to a transaction. Ownership reports let you check title status, owner identity, and open liens without initiating a formal closing process.
Custom Reporting
At Abstract Authority, our ownership reports can be tailored to include historical vesting, legal descriptions, probate flags, chain of title notes, and even document images—helping clients dig deeper when necessary.
How Abstract Authority Can Help-
We specialize in delivering fast, accurate, and easy-to-read ownership reports that provide the data you need—without the overhead of a full title commitment. Whether you’re an investor doing bulk parcel research or a legal team handling probate, we help you uncover:
- Ownership status
- Open liens and mortgages
- Title anomalies and potential red flags
- Custom chain of title as requested
Our reports are tailored for informed decision-making, not boilerplate copy-paste output. While both ownership reports and title commitments serve important roles in real estate, they are designed for different stages of the process. If you’re not closing yet but need to know what’s on title, an ownership report from Abstract Authority is your most efficient, cost-effective tool.