Talk:Title (property)/Archives/2012

Question

Can someone clarify this: "A famous rule is that a thief cannot convey good title, so title searches are routine (or highly recommended) for purchases of many types of expensive property (especially real estate)."?--153.104.27.107 04:03, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

This means that the burden is on buyers to verify that the person purporting to convey title to property actually holds the title to begin with. Historically, there have been many, many scams where people attempted to sell property they did not own. The courts have been unsympathetic to hapless buyers and have consistently enforced the rights of the true owner against a person who "bought" the property from a thief. The goal is to discourage stealing by making it harder for thieves to translate their wrongdoing into cash since everyone will be trying to verify their good title.

Of course, there are exceptions like the rule of adverse possession and the defense of laches, both of which carry out the rule that one who sleeps on his rights waives them — which in turn serves the general public policy of maximizing efficient economic use of land. But both are quite difficult to take advantage of.

So, the point of all this is, instead of paying thousands or millions of dollars for something and then losing it when the true owner shows up, one should be vigilant and always verify the seller's title to the thing they are selling (whether it is real or personal property). --Coolcaesar 06:51, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

Having already lost large chunks of land to the United States (thanks to American citizens who had immigrated into its territory), Mexico is very sensitive about losing any more and prohibits foreigners from holding title to land.

I deleted this portion from the article due it violation of the NPOV.

Why is this POV? It's (mostly) true, after all. Mexico did lose half its territory to the United States during the Mexican-American War, and now prohibits foreigners from owning land within 100 miles of an international border. Please read about the history of the U.S. states of Texas and California before you make a fool of yourself. --Coolcaesar 20:09, 12 November 2005 (UTC)

I prefer good reading immediately after making a fool of myself. -- 68.159.170.96 14:12, 21 February 2006 (UTC)

Indian title

There probably could be an article Indian title as there are many court decisions on the subject, and certain instances in the United States where Indians have presumably valid claims to large tracts of land where Indian title has not been extinguished. I doubt more than a brief note belongs in this article. Fred Talk 14:14, 15 August 2009 (UTC)

Oil & Gas

I didn't see anything about "Title" for Oil and Gas leasing ? I know in the state of California Title Insurance Companies do not Insure Minerals, but they are still a part of Title. It was just a thought. Robinhathaway (talk) 08:20, 7 September 2012 (UTC)