
When you’re buying a home for sale in Ellicott City, Owings Mills or another nearby community, your lender will require you to purchase a title insurance policy – but you might be surprised to learn that the insurance policy you’re buying isn’t for you.
It’s for your lender.
Here’s what you need to know.
Related: What is a title search?
Lender’s Title Insurance vs. Owner’s Title Insurance
Most lenders will require you to buy title insurance that protects them – not you – when you buy a home. A lender’s title insurance policy provides a measure of protection if someone comes along later and challenges your (or your lender’s) ownership in the home, such as a missing heir or an undisclosed spouse.
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The policy that the lender makes you buy, though, is only for the lender. If someone comes along later and challenges your ownership in the home, you’re still on the hook for legal bills and other costs – and you could lose your home.For most people, that means buying an owner’s title insurance policy.
Your lender may not allow you to choose the insurer for the lender’s policy, but you can choose the insurer for your own policy. In many cases, though, you’ll end up saving money if you insure both your lender and yourself through the same company. That way, you only have to pay for one title search and two policies (rather than two title searches and two policies, which you’d have to do if you used another company to purchase your own policy).
Are You Buying a Home in Ellicott City?
If you’re ready to buy a home for sale in Ellicott City, we can help you find the right one.
Call us at 410-465-5822 to tell us what you want from your next home or to schedule a tour in a home you’ve seen online.
Use these links to check out the hottest listings:
- Ellicott City homes for sale
- Columbia homes for sale
- Catonsville homes for sale
- Pikesville homes for sale
- Owings Mills homes for sale

4953 Ellis Lane Ellicott City, Maryland
4 Beds 4 Baths 4,500 SqFt 0.470 Acres
Listing courtesy of Monument Sotheby's International Realty

2311 Ridge Tree Court Ellicott City, Maryland
4 Beds 3 Baths 3,181 SqFt 0.670 Acres
Listing courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty

10421 Resort Road G Ellicott City, Maryland
2 Beds 2 Baths 1,554 SqFt
Listing courtesy of NVR Services, Inc.

8013 High Castle Road Ellicott City, Maryland
5 Beds 5 Baths 4,650 SqFt 0.160 Acres
Listing courtesy of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

5066 Bonnie Branch Road Ellicott City, Maryland
4 Beds 3 Baths 2,550 SqFt 1.860 Acres
Listing courtesy of RE/MAX Advantage Realty

9891 Carrigan Drive Ellicott City, Maryland
4 Beds 5 Baths 3,947 SqFt 0.460 Acres
Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Lucido Agency

3004 Katherine Place Ellicott City, Maryland
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,112 SqFt 0.140 Acres
Listing courtesy of Redfin Corp

3741 Grosvenor Drive Ellicott City, Maryland
5 Beds 4 Baths 4,720 SqFt 0.330 Acres
Listing courtesy of Maryland Real Estate Network

5325 Montgomery Road Ellicott City, Maryland
5 Beds 4 Baths 3,018 SqFt 0.350 Acres
Listing courtesy of Maryland Real Estate Network

4033 Jay Em Circle Ellicott City, Maryland
4 Beds 3 Baths 1,620 SqFt 0.460 Acres
Listing courtesy of Samson Properties

9118 Dunloggin Road Ellicott City, Maryland
4 Beds 3 Baths 3,343 SqFt 0.710 Acres
Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Lucido Agency

10213 Camelford Court Ellicott City, Maryland
4 Beds 3 Baths 3,019 SqFt 0.380 Acres
Listing courtesy of EXP Realty, LLC

8538 Pine Run Court Ellicott City, Maryland
4 Beds 4 Baths 1,940 SqFt 0.100 Acres
Listing courtesy of Samson Properties

2530 Kensington Gardens 303 Ellicott City, Maryland
3 Beds 2 Baths 2,280 SqFt
Listing courtesy of EXP Realty, LLC

10360 Kingsbridge Road Ellicott City, Maryland
7 Beds 7 Baths 6,564 SqFt 3.040 Acres
Listing courtesy of Corner House Realty
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