5 Common Issues That Can Delay Your Closing
What Buyers and Sellers Should Know — and How a Good Title Company Keeps Deals on Track
When you’re buying or selling a home, timing matters. But even when all parties are ready, one thing can stop a closing in its tracks: title issues. Title problems are one of the most common causes of closing delays — and sometimes, they aren’t discovered until just days before the transaction is set to finalize.
At Simple Title, our team works behind the scenes to catch and resolve these issues before they derail your deal. Here are five of the most common title-related delays we see — and what we do to help resolve them
1. Unreleased Mortgages or Liens
Sometimes a past mortgage still shows up on a property’s title record even though it was already paid off. This can happen if the lender never filed the paperwork to show the loan was released. When that happens, it creates a problem called a “cloud” on the title.
You might also see something called a lien on the title. A lien is a legal claim someone puts on a property when money is owed. It doesn’t mean they own the home—it just means they must be paid before the property can be sold. Liens can come from things like:
- Federal or state tax debts
- Contractors who weren’t paid for their work (mechanic’s liens)
- Unpaid HOA fees or court judgments
All of these issues have to be taken care of before the closing can move forward. At Simple Title, we work directly with lenders, contractors, and anyone else involved to clear these items quickly and keep your sale on schedule.
2. Unknown Heirs or Probate Issues
If the property was inherited or transferred from a deceased owner, missing or unknown heirs may come forward claiming a right to the home. This can happen even after a will has been probated if someone was left out.
Our title examiners check for proper estate proceedings and verify legal transfers so that the rightful owner is documented and the title is insurable.
3. Boundary Disputes or Survey Problems
A fence that crosses into a neighbor’s yard. A shed that’s partially on the wrong lot. Encroachments or boundary line errors discovered through a new survey can delay closing while the issue is resolved.
We help clients understand their survey results and coordinate with attorneys or surveyors when adjustments or agreements are needed.
4. Errors in Public Records
Typos happen — but when they happen in public property records, they can cause big problems. We’ve seen:
- Incorrect legal descriptions of the property
- Misspelled names on prior deeds
- Recording mistakes or document mix-ups
At Simple Title, we identify these errors during our title exam and take the necessary legal steps to correct them before closing.
5. Missing or Incorrect Powers of Attorney
In transactions where one party is signing on behalf of another (like for a parent, spouse, or out-of-state owner), the power of attorney must be properly drafted, signed, and recorded. If it isn’t, the documents may be invalid — and the entire closing may need to be rescheduled.
Our legal team reviews powers of attorney early in the process to ensure they meet local recording standards and that no signatures are missing.
How Simple Title Keeps Closings on Track
Title issues aren’t always preventable — but delays are. At Simple Title, our proactive approach means we uncover problems early, work quickly to resolve them, and communicate clearly so our clients aren’t caught off guard.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing, you deserve a title partner that protects your time — and your transaction.
Worried About Title Issues Delaying Your Closing? Let’s Fix It.
Need help clearing a lien, verifying title, or resolving a boundary dispute? Contact Simple Title for expert support and legal guidance — before closing gets delayed.
(978) 539-7500 | info@simpletitle.us
Convenient locations in MA, NH, ME, CT, RI & FL. Expert assistance in English, Spanish and Greek.
FAQs
Title issues are typically found during the title search. If any are discovered, our team will notify you and explain next steps.
Some issues can delay closing, but very few result in a full cancellation. Our goal is always to resolve problems so your deal can move forward.
It refers to anything that makes the property’s ownership unclear or questionable — like unpaid liens, unresolved heirs, or errors in documents.
Yes, title insurance helps protect against future claims. But it won’t resolve known issues at the time of closing — those must be cleared before the policy is issued.
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