“Title” to real estate is a tricky topic. Most property owners know nothing more about the title to their land than the simple fact that they think the seller signed a deed transfer the property to them at closing. It’s only when an issue arises – say your new neighbor is insisting you tear out the beautiful willow tree your kids love to climb in because it’s on their land, you get a notice from a bank or a municipality that they’re owed money and will foreclose if they’re not paid, or you’re at the closing table ready to sell and learn someone else’s name is on the deed – that we ever really look into the property records.