Do Sellers Need Title Insurance? What to Know Before You List Your Home

Let’s Start with a Little Real Talk

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’ve probably started decluttering, fixing up a few things, and maybe even checking online to see what your home is worth. But here’s something most sellers don’t think about until it’s too late—what’s actually on your home’s title.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat with sellers who thought everything was good to go, only to find out an old lien, judgment, or mortgage still shows up on record. It’s not the most exciting part of selling, but cleaning up your title before listing can save you weeks of frustration later.

What Title Insurance Really Does for Sellers

We usually talk about title insurance as something buyers need, but it helps sellers too. Here’s why: when a title company runs the title search, they’re looking for anything that could prevent you from transferring ownership cleanly to the buyer.

If a problem pops up—say a contractor filed a lien 15 years ago, or there’s a mortgage that was paid off but never recorded—it has to be resolved before closing. That’s where title professionals (and your agent 😉) step in to help get it cleared so you can move forward without legal headaches.

Real-Life Example (and Why It Matters)

Not too long ago, I worked with a seller who had what we thought was a simple sale. During the title search, we found a duplicate parcel number from decades ago that showed two different ownership records. It took multiple calls and some creative digging, but we got it sorted—and the deal closed, a little later than anticipated, but it closed.

If the title work had been completed earlier in the transaction, it is possible there may not have been a delay at all.

Should You Do a Pre-Listing Title Search?

In my opinion? This is a definite option—especially if you’ve owned your home for a long time, refinanced more than once, inherited the property, or built on extra land. A pre-listing title search can catch any surprises before the buyer’s title company does. Although this is not common in are area for the Seller to do this or pay for the title search, it is definitely an option.

Think of it as getting your ducks in a row before the spotlight hits. It’s also a great confidence booster—knowing any potential title issues have been researched and addressed prior to any transfer of ownership over to the new buyer.

How to Avoid Closing Delays

If the title search uncovers issues, don’t panic. Most of the time, they can be fixed with a few documents, a lien release, or a quick correction from the county. The key is time—when you find out early, you control the timeline.

The biggest delays happen when problems show up after you’ve accepted an offer. That’s when everyone’s stressed, deadlines are tight, and emotions are high. So if you can tackle title work ahead of time, do it—it’s one of the best gifts you can give your future self.

Seller Peace of Mind

Selling a home is emotional. You’re closing one chapter and getting ready to open another. Title insurance may not sound exciting, but it’s the quiet assurance that helps everything go smoothly at the finish line.

If you’re getting ready to list your home and want to make sure you’re fully prepared, grab my free Seller’s Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HjcutWO6KmQPV2A4_iHS-ELmlzKkLmfx/view?usp=drivesdk.

It’s full of practical tips to help you list with confidence—and close without surprises.

Because letting go of your home should come with clarity, care, and the right game plan.

— Sheri Kunkle, your trusted Indiana PA listing expert