What an Owner's Policy covers

When you buy a home, you're buying its title — the legal right to own and use it. An Owner's Policy protects that right against problems that may have existed before you bought, even if no one knew about them at closing.

Unlike most insurance, the premium is paid once at closing and the coverage lasts as long as you own the property. In Texas, the rate is set by the Texas Department of Insurance, so it's identical at every title company.

• Forged or improperly recorded deeds in the prior chain of title
• Undisclosed heirs or missing signatures on past transfers
• Liens for unpaid taxes, mortgages, judgments or contractor work
• Errors in the public records or legal descriptions
• Costs to defend your title if a covered claim is filed

Frequently asked questions

Why your lender requires it

A Lender's Policy protects the bank's investment, not your equity. It assures the lender that its mortgage is a valid, enforceable first lien against the property.

Because it only protects the lender, you'll usually still want a separate Owner's Policy to protect yourself. The two are often issued together at a reduced simultaneous-issue rate.

• Protects the lender's lien up to the loan balance
• Required on nearly all purchase and refinance loans
• Coverage decreases as the loan is paid down
• Issued alongside the Owner's Policy at closing

Frequently asked questions

From contract to keys

As your closing agent, Maestro Title is the neutral third party that brings buyer, seller, lender and agents together. We hold the earnest money, coordinate the title search, balance the numbers with the lender, and host the signing.

On closing day we make sure every document is signed correctly, funds are disbursed to the right parties, and the deed and mortgage are recorded with the county.

• Earnest money and escrow handling
• Title search, commitment and curative work
• Coordination with lender, agents and surveyor
• Preparation of the settlement statement
• Signing, funding and recording

Frequently asked questions

Built for complex deals

Commercial transactions often involve entities, multiple parcels, leases, easements and tighter timelines. We coordinate entity documentation, survey review, and multi-party escrow with precision.

Whether it's a single-tenant building or a multi-parcel development, we tailor the closing to the deal.

• Entity and authority review (LLCs, partnerships, trusts)
• Multi-parcel and complex legal descriptions
• Survey and easement review
• Large and multi-party escrow disbursements
• Endorsements common to commercial policies

Smooth, accurate refinances

A refinance is simpler than a purchase, but accuracy still matters. We order your existing loan payoff, prepare the new title commitment, and coordinate with your lender on the closing figures.

Many refinance signings can be scheduled flexibly, and reissue credits may reduce your new Loan Policy premium.

• Existing mortgage payoff ordering
• New Lender's Title Policy (with possible reissue credit)
• Coordination with your refinance lender
• Recording of the new deed of trust

Frequently asked questions

We find problems before you sign

A title search reviews public records to build the chain of title and surface anything that could cloud ownership. Our examiners review deeds, mortgages, tax records, court judgments and more.

When we find an issue — an old unreleased lien, a missing heir's signature, a boundary question — we handle the curative work to clear it before closing.

• Full chain-of-title review
• Lien, judgment and tax searches
• Easement and restriction review
• Curative work to clear defects
• Issuance of the title commitment

A neutral party you can trust

Escrow means a trusted third party holds money and documents until everyone has met their obligations. We safeguard the earnest money deposit and, at closing, collect and disburse all funds according to the settlement statement.

Our disbursement controls and verified wire procedures protect every dollar that moves through the transaction.

• Secure handling of earnest money deposits
• Collection of buyer funds and lender proceeds
• Disbursement per the settlement statement
• Verified, fraud-screened wire instructions

Closings that match the build schedule

From lot purchase to final walk-through, new construction adds steps: mechanic's lien considerations, builder affidavits, and completion timing. We coordinate with the builder's team so the closing is ready when the home is.

We track the moving pieces so a delayed countertop doesn't become a delayed closing.

• Mechanic's and materialman's lien review
• Builder affidavits and documentation
• Flexible scheduling around completion
• Coordination with builder and lender

A professional closing without an agent

When buyer and seller handle the deal themselves, a title company keeps it safe and legitimate. We prepare the closing documents, handle escrow, issue title insurance, and record the deed.

You get the protection of a professional closing while keeping the savings of a private sale.

• Neutral handling for unrepresented buyers and sellers
• Document preparation and settlement statement
• Title insurance and escrow
• Recording with the county

Keeping your exchange compliant

Section 1031 of the tax code allows investors to defer capital-gains tax by exchanging one investment property for another. Strict timelines apply — generally 45 days to identify and 180 days to close on the replacement property.

We work alongside your qualified intermediary and tax advisor so the closing fits the exchange requirements. We are not tax advisors; please consult your CPA or attorney on eligibility.

• Coordination with your qualified intermediary
• Closings structured to meet exchange deadlines
• Document handling for relinquished and replacement property
• Clear communication with your CPA or attorney

Before closing day

• Review your contract dates and deadlines with your agent
• Send the executed contract and earnest money to the title company
• Complete your loan application and respond quickly to lender requests
• Schedule any required survey or inspection
• Review the title commitment and ask about any exceptions
• Confirm how you'll hold title (sole owner, joint, trust, entity)
• Arrange your closing funds — verify wire instructions by phone

What happens at the table

You'll review and sign the settlement statement, the deed (sellers) or loan documents (buyers), and the title paperwork. Bring a valid government photo ID for each signer.

Every signer should bring

• A current, valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
• Any documents the title company or lender requested
• For buyers: confirmation your closing funds were wired in advance
• For entities: formation and authority documents (if requested)

If a signer can't attend, ask us early about a power of attorney — it must be approved in advance.

What is title insurance?

Title insurance protects against problems with a property's legal ownership that may have existed before you bought it — things like old liens, recording errors, forgery or undisclosed heirs. Unlike other insurance that covers future events, title insurance covers the past.

The two policies

• Owner's Policy — protects you, the buyer, for as long as you own the property
• Lender's Policy — protects the lender's lien, required by most loans

How it works in Texas

Texas premiums are promulgated by the Texas Department of Insurance, so the rate is the same at every title company. The premium is paid once at closing.

1. Open the file

The executed contract and earnest money come to us, and we open the order and begin the title search.

2. Title search & commitment

We examine the chain of title, then issue a commitment listing what will be insured and any exceptions to clear.

3. Curative & coordination

We resolve liens or defects, work with the lender on figures, and verify wire details.

4. Signing

Buyer and seller sign the settlement statement and closing documents.

5. Funding & recording

Funds disburse and the deed records with the county. Ownership transfers.

Title commitment

The title company's promise to issue a policy, listing requirements and exceptions.

Escrow

A neutral third party holding funds and documents until conditions are met.

Earnest money

The buyer's good-faith deposit, held in escrow and applied at closing.

Lien

A legal claim against a property for an unpaid debt, such as a mortgage or tax.

Settlement statement

The itemized accounting of all funds in the transaction.

Promulgated rate

A premium rate set by the Texas Department of Insurance, identical at every title company.

Curative

The work done to clear title defects before closing.

Promulgated premiums

Texas is unusual: the Department of Insurance sets title insurance rates, so premiums don't vary between companies. You choose a title company for its service, accuracy and reliability — not its price.

Who pays for what

Costs are negotiable in the contract. Customs vary by region, but the contract always controls who pays the Owner's Policy, escrow fees and other items.

Home equity & cash-out rules

Texas has specific constitutional rules for home-equity and cash-out loans. Your lender sets the requirements; we close in line with the loan instructions.

This is general information, not legal advice.

How the scam works

Criminals impersonate your title company, agent or lender by email and send fake wire instructions, often at the last minute. Once funds are wired to the wrong account, they're very hard to recover.

How to protect yourself

• Always call a known, verified phone number before wiring — never a number from an email
• Be suspicious of any last-minute change to wire instructions
• We will never email you new wire instructions or ask you to change them
• Confirm receipt of your funds by calling us directly after sending

If you suspect fraud, contact your bank immediately and then call us.

Recording

After signing and funding, we record the deed (and any mortgage) with the county clerk. Recording makes the transfer part of the public record.

Property taxes

Texas property taxes are typically prorated between buyer and seller at closing based on the closing date. Going forward, taxes are the new owner's responsibility.

Your policy

Your Owner's Policy is issued after closing and protects you for as long as you own the home. Keep it with your important documents.

Property tax questions? Consult your county appraisal district or tax advisor.