May 2019 YTD Maui Statistics and What is Title Insurance?
The first five months of the year in the real estate industry is such a busy time and the market has slowed down a bit as the number of condo and land sales on Maui are down vs. 2018. South Maui continues to be the district on Maui where the bulk of the transactions record, 39%, with West Maui (26%) and Central (17%) following. For a comprehensive report on the different areas on Maui, be sure to visit FidelityMaui.com.
Fidelity National Title, May 2019 statistics.
Fidelity National Title, May 2019 statistics.
(For a comprehensive statistics report, please click HERE)
What is Title?
We take steps in our lives to ensure that the most valuable assets are protected against unforeseen circumstances. We may invest in health, car, life and other insurances so that we have peace of mind now with the financial protection for the future, in the event that something happens.
The purchase of a home is most likely going to be the largest financial investments of one’s life – especially here in Hawaiʻi. So, what is title insurance? The primary purpose of title insurance is the protection of the greatest financial investment you have, your real estate. Title insurance ensures your rights to the real estate property you purchased are clear, that the transfer of title from sellers to buyer takes places efficiently and legally, and that your interests as a homebuyer are protected in the event of unforeseen or fraudulent past, present of future claims against your property.
One of the roles of the title company is to issue title insurance after a very careful examination of the public records. However, even after such careful searching and expertise of the title professionals, there may be matters that may exist that cannot be disclosed in a search. By having title insurance, this coverage will pay for defending against any lawsuit attacking your title as insured and will either clear up any title problems or pay the losses of the insured party. It is a one-time premium paid at the recordation of the real estate transaction. In a typical real estate transaction here in Hawaiʻi, the sellers pay 60% of the title premium and the buyers pay 40% of the premium. Premiums are based on the sales prices of property. The owner’s title insurance policy remains in effect as long as you, or your heirs, retain an interest in the property.
Examples of common hidden risks that can cause a loss or title or create an encumbrance on the title are:
With homeownership, there comes the need to protect your greatest investment against the past, as well as the future. Title insurance protects a policy holder’s interest against challenges to rightful ownership of real property and challenges that arise from circumstances of past ownership. So be sure that when it comes time to choose the title coverage, choose a company that provides the quality coverage necessary in these times – one that is financially sound and has been around and will be around for decades to come.
*All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed, and should not be relied upon without independent verification. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any misprints, typographical errors, or misinformation and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided by the REALTORS Association of Maui Inc (C) and is for consumer’s personal, non-commercial use. Information on this site was last updated (insert publication date). This is not intended as legal or tax advice, and readers are urged to consult with the appropriate professionals to determine the accuracy of information.
Reta Chin-Chiarella
Reta Chin-Chiarella, AVP of Strategic Business Development with Fidelity National Title & Escrow is a contributing writer to Maui Now. Reta’s experience in the Maui escrow/title/real estate industry dates back to 1990. She was named “Affiliate of the Year” by the Realtors Association in 2000 and has also received multiple sales awards. Fidelity National Title is recognized as the leader in the industry, ranked 302 in the Fortune 500 list. Fidelity is the highest rated and largest title insurance company nationwide, underwriting one of three policies. Her office is located at the Shops at Wailea, at 3750 Wailea Alanui, Suite 22EW in Wailea.
Offices of Fidelity National Title & Escrow are available in: Kahului (808) 893-0556; Lahaina (808) 661-4960; Upcountry (808) 573-0110; and Wailea (808) 891-2404.
