ALTA Study Highlights Complexity of Title Production and Critical Role of Professional Expertise

Washington, D.C., March 31, 2026 — The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, announced the publication of a new study that underscores the extensive research, analysis and problem-solving title professionals perform to produce a clean and insurable title before a real estate transaction can close.

The report, Measuring the Complexity of Title Production: A Study of Operational Demands, Risks, and Curative Challenges, surveyed 449 title professionals across 47 states and examines the operational work required to identify risks, review property records and resolve issues before issuing title insurance.

“Technology and artificial intelligence are helping the title industry become more efficient, and our members are embracing those innovations,” said ALTA CEO Chris Morton. “But the work required to identify and resolve issues in a property’s ownership history still depends on professional expertise. Title experts play a critical role in protecting consumers by resolving problems before closing and ensuring buyers receive clear and insurable title.”

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The study highlights the depth of work involved in researching and resolving title issues:

• More than 80% of purchase transactions require reviewing at least 11 documents, while 21% involve reviewing more than 50 records tied to a property’s ownership history.
• Nearly 60% of transactions require clearing three to five title issues before closing.
• More than half of title professionals spend at least 11 hours each month on fraud prevention, addressing risks such as wire fraud, identity theft and forged property documents.
• Mortgage payoffs occur in more than 90% of transactions, while HOA dues and transfer fees appear in nearly 57% of transactions and must be resolved before closing.

Title production begins with a comprehensive search and examination of a property’s history, often spanning decades of records from multiple public and private sources. Title professionals review documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, easements and probate filings to identify issues that could affect ownership rights.

When problems are identified, the curative process begins. This work may involve resolving unpaid liens, correcting errors in legal descriptions, addressing gaps in the chain of title or coordinating with lenders and government offices to obtain releases for prior mortgages.

The study found that 59% of title professionals identified securing releases for prior mortgages as the most significant challenge in the curative process, illustrating the coordination often required to resolve title defects.

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Despite increasing operational demands and growing fraud risks in real estate transactions, the study also found that investments in technology and process modernization have helped improve efficiency across the industry. According to industry analysis of NAIC Form 9 annual statements, the cost of title insurance coverage has decreased by about 5% in recent years, while the cost of other types of insurance has skyrocketed.

Title insurance protects buyers and lenders from financial losses caused by title defects such as liens, ownership disputes, recording errors or undisclosed heirs. Unlike other forms of insurance that manage risk after a loss occurs, title professionals work to identify and eliminate risks before a real estate transaction closes.

“The title process is far more than a document check,” Morton said. “It’s a detailed review of a property’s history and a problem-solving process that helps ensure buyers can take ownership with confidence.”

The full study is available at alta.org.

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About ALTA

The American Land Title Association, founded in 1907, represents an industry comprised of more than 17,000 title insurance companies operating across the nation, with over 90% being small businesses.

Alisa Mairone, Director of Public Affairs & Media Relations

amairone@alta.org

C. 215-909-0699
O. 202-261-0305

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