Title defects are any issues that can impede the validity or transferability of a property's title, potentially leading to delays, disputes, or losses in a real estate transaction. Common title defects include unpaid taxes or assessments, liens, easements, encroachments, and errors or omissions. Unpaid taxes or assessments are debts attached to the property that must be paid before the title can be transferred. Liens are claims by creditors or other parties that have a legal right to the property or a portion of its value, such as mortgages, judgments, mechanics' liens, or tax liens. Easements are rights that allow others to use or access the property for a specific purpose, such as utilities, drainage, or access. Encroachments are physical intrusions or overlaps of the property by another property, such as fences, walls, buildings, or trees. Errors or omissions are mistakes or gaps in the title records or documents, such as misspellings, incorrect names, missing signatures, or incomplete deeds.