TitleHomebuying Glossary
Cloud on Title
Any unresolved claim, lien, or discrepancy that raises doubt about who really owns a property.
In plain English
A cloud on title is any document or claim — an old unpaid lien, a missing signature from a prior sale, a boundary dispute — that creates uncertainty about the property's true ownership and must be resolved before a clean sale can close.
Why it matters
If a title search turns up a cloud on title, it typically needs to be resolved (paid off, corrected, or legally cleared) before closing can proceed.
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