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National curriculum lesson 107 · Transfer of Title

Title Searches, Title Insurance, and Title Problems

A title search examines public records affecting ownership and encumbrances. An abstract summarizes record history, while a title opinion evaluates legal status. A cloud is an apparent claim or defect that can impair title. Title insurance protects against covered title risks existing under the policy terms, subject to exceptions, exclusions, limits, and conditions; it does not guarantee property condition or future events outside coverage.

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Last reviewed August 2, 2026. Editorial standards.

What is the exam-ready answer?

A title search examines public records affecting ownership and encumbrances. An abstract summarizes record history, while a title opinion evaluates legal status. A cloud is an apparent claim or defect that can impair title. Title insurance protects against covered title risks existing under the policy terms, subject to exceptions, exclusions, limits, and conditions; it does not guarantee property condition or future events outside coverage.
Official syllabus mapping for Title Searches, Title Insurance, and Title Problems
Roadmap lesson107 of 500
Official syllabus topicTitle Searches, Title Insurance, and Title Problems
Official PSI areaTransfer of Title
Published area weight6% of the 100-question national portion
Exam portionNational salesperson portion
Source editionPSI Georgia Candidate Information Bulletin dated July 1, 2026
Last verifiedAugust 2, 2026

The Rule

PSI publishes the weight for the complete content area, not a fixed question count for this lesson. Learn the rule well enough to apply it when PSI changes names, numbers, or parties in a new scenario.

Complete lesson

Read each concept as part of one decision system. The exam often gives one accurate statement and three statements that belong to a nearby concept.

Search and chain

Searchers trace deeds, liens, judgments, probate, marital interests, taxes, easements, restrictions, and other indexed matters to identify the chain and unresolved claims.

Clouds and cures

Errors, unreleased liens, inconsistent names, missing heirs, forged instruments, boundary claims, or recording gaps may require a release, corrective deed, affidavit, probate action, quiet-title case, or other legal cure.

Owner and lender policies

An owner's policy protects the insured owner's covered interest, while a lender's policy protects the insured lender's security interest. A lender policy does not substitute for owner coverage.

Coverage limits

A commitment states proposed coverage requirements and exceptions; it is not the final policy. Survey matters, known defects, governmental rules, and post-policy events may be excepted or excluded depending on terms and endorsements.

Decision rule

Identify the insured interest, policy date, covered risk, listed exception, and required curative action.

Georgia-specific distinction

Georgia closing attorneys commonly examine title, satisfy requirements, prepare transfer documents, and issue or arrange title coverage through an insurer. A Georgia licensee should surface known issues and coordinate, not give a title opinion.

Worked example

Scenario. A lender requires a lender's title policy, and the buyer assumes that policy protects the buyer's equity.

Reason it through. The required policy insures the lender's security interest, not automatically the owner's separate loss.

Answer. The buyer should evaluate a separate owner's policy and its terms.

Common exam traps

  • Calling a title search insurance
  • Assuming lender coverage protects owner equity
  • Treating a commitment as the final policy
  • Assuming title insurance covers building defects

Original practice questions with detailed explanations

These questions were written for instruction and mapped to the current outline. They are not copied from PSI or any live examination. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.

Question 1

What is a cloud on title?

  1. A. An apparent claim or defect impairing title
  2. B. A weather event
  3. C. A home defect
  4. D. An appraisal adjustment
Show answer and explanation →

Answer: A. An apparent claim or defect impairing title

A cloud creates doubt about ownership, encumbrance, or marketability.

Question 2

Who is insured by a lender's title policy?

  1. A. Insured lender
  2. B. Buyer automatically
  3. C. Seller automatically
  4. D. Broker
Show answer and explanation →

Answer: A. Insured lender

It protects the lender's covered security interest up to policy terms and limits.

Question 3

Does title insurance cover every future event?

  1. A. Yes
  2. B. No
  3. C. Only if cash
  4. D. Only after renewal
Show answer and explanation →

Answer: B. No

Coverage is defined by the policy, date, exclusions, exceptions, conditions, and endorsements.

Mastery tracking

Mark this lesson mastered only when every statement is true.

  • State the direct answer and decision rule without notes.
  • Explain every core concept in plain English.
  • Solve the worked example after changing one important fact.
  • Identify the Georgia distinction before reading answer choices.
  • Answer all three questions correctly and reject every distractor.
  • Repeat the topic in mixed practice on a later day.

Recommended next lesson

Continue with Marketable Title Versus Insurable Title. Continue to roadmap lesson 108 and build on this decision rule.

Return to the Transfer of Title hub to see every official branch and the complete lesson sequence for this content area.

Title Searches, Title Insurance, and Title Problems questions

Facts checked against the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and GREC sources. Last reviewed August 2, 2026. Editorial standards.

Is Title Searches, Title Insurance, and Title Problems on the Georgia real estate exam?

Yes. It belongs to PSI's Transfer of Title content area, which is 6% of the 100-question national portion. PSI publishes content-area weights, not a guaranteed question count for this individual lesson.

What is the main rule for Title Searches, Title Insurance, and Title Problems?

Identify the insured interest, policy date, covered risk, listed exception, and required curative action.

What Georgia-specific distinction should I remember?

Georgia closing attorneys commonly examine title, satisfy requirements, prepare transfer documents, and issue or arrange title coverage through an insurer. A Georgia licensee should surface known issues and coordinate, not give a title opinion.

How do I know I have mastered this lesson?

Explain the rule without notes, solve the worked example again with changed facts, answer all original questions correctly, explain every distractor, and repeat mixed practice on a later day.