Property Ownership

What does 'chain of title' mean in Pennsylvania real estate?

AThe sequence of owners listed in the property's tax assessment records
BThe chronological history of conveyances and encumbrances recorded in the county affecting the property's title✓ Correct
CThe list of licensed appraisers who have valued the property
DThe order of priority among mortgage lenders on the property

Explanation

Chain of title is the chronological sequence of recorded documents (deeds, mortgages, releases, easements, liens) that shows the history of ownership and encumbrances on a parcel. A clear chain of title demonstrates unbroken ownership from a reliable source (sovereignty of the soil) to the present owner. Title abstractors trace the chain of title to identify gaps, defects, or adverse claims that might affect ownership.

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