Real Estate Glossary

Chain of title

/glossary/chain-of-title
The historical sequence of ownership transfers for a property, recorded in public records. Title companies trace the chain to confirm clear ownership before insuring a sale.

Related terms

Reviewed by John Quigley · Founder, BuyHousesInCash · Last updated May 2026

Selling a house in a hurry?

We close in 7 days. No fees, no repairs, no agent commissions.

Get a Cash Offer →