What Should Agents Look for in a Preliminary Title Report?

A preliminary title report lists everything attached to a property before closing — liens, easements, CC&Rs, and how title is vested. Agents should check vesting matches the seller’s ID, scan for old or unexpected liens, note any easements, and read Schedule B exceptions before contingencies expire.

Every North Orange County deal — from a Fullerton starter home to a Yorba Linda estate — starts with the same document: the preliminary title report. Most agents skim it. The ones who read it closely close faster.

A “prelim” is a snapshot of what the title company will insure once escrow closes, based on public record. It’s not a guarantee — it’s a working list of everything attached to the property.

Here’s what to check first.

Vesting — does the name on title match the seller’s ID and listing agreement?

Liens — old mechanics liens, HOA liens, or an undisclosed second loan can all surface here first.

Easements — common in older North OC neighborhoods like Fullerton and Orange.

Schedule B exceptions — the fine print on what won’t be covered without further action.

Request the prelim the day escrow opens, not the day before contingencies expire. If something needs clearing — a lien paid off, a name corrected — that takes time, and a 30-day close doesn’t give you much of it.

If anything on a prelim looks unfamiliar, that’s exactly what your title representative and title officer is for. A five-minute call in week one beats a delayed closing in week four.