In real estate terms, what is a 'cloud' on a title?

A 'cloud' on a title refers to any claim, lien, or encumbrance that may affect the ownership of a property and create uncertainty about the true ownership or the marketability of that title. This can include unresolved disputes over property boundaries, outstanding liens for unpaid taxes, or other claims that could potentially impact the new owner's rights to the property.

Identifying and clearing clouds on a title is essential during the closing process in real estate transactions, as they can lead to legal disputes or challenges to ownership in the future. Ensuring that a title is clear of clouds is vital for both sellers and buyers, as it affects the ability to transfer clean title and ultimately influences the property’s value and financing options.

The other options refer to unrelated concepts in real estate. Physical structures and natural features do not pertain to ownership claims, while a type of mortgage is a financing instrument and does not directly address issues of title ownership.