Commercial real estate transactions are significantly more complex than residential closings. Properties may have multiple owners, complex lease structures, environmental issues, and intricate financing arrangements — all of which create unique title risks.

A commercial owner's title insurance policy protects against:

• Undisclosed liens — unpaid taxes, contractor liens, or prior mortgages
• Ownership disputes — competing claims to the property
• Forgery and fraud — fraudulent deeds or signatures in the chain of title
• Survey issues — encroachments or boundary disputes
• Zoning violations — prior uses that violate current zoning
• Easement conflicts — undisclosed easements affecting use

Unlike residential searches, commercial title searches often go back further in history and require examination of:

• Corporate entity documents and authority
• Partnership agreements and operating agreements
• UCC filings and fixture filings
• Environmental liens and CERCLA issues
• Lease abstracts and tenant rights

Commercial policies can be enhanced with endorsements tailored to your transaction:

• ALTA 3.1 — Zoning coverage
• ALTA 9 — Restrictions, encroachments, and minerals
• ALTA 17 — Access and entry
• ALTA 22 — Location coverage
• ALTA 28 — Easement coverage

For complex commercial transactions, experience matters. Look for a title company with:

• Dedicated commercial underwriting expertise
• National coverage for multi-state portfolios
• In-house counsel for complex title issues
• Strong lender relationships

RELTCO handles commercial transactions of all sizes — from single-tenant retail to multi-state portfolio acquisitions. Contact our commercial team to discuss your next transaction.