What is a Parcel Register and How Can it Help Build Trust with Your Clients?

A Parcel Register* is a useful tool for real estate professionals because it can provide you with the most accurate, complete and current data registered on title as it relates to a particular property. Most importantly, it can help you reduce risk while protecting your commission and create long-lasting relationships with your clients. But what exactly is a Parcel Register and what does it include? Here’s a deeper look at what a Parcel Register is, how it can help your business and how it can help build trust with your clients. 

A Parcel Register is an official product of the Ontario government pursuant to provincial land registration statutes. Often thought of and referred to as a Property Title Search by real estate sales professionals, the Parcel Register is available in the GeoWarehouse Store and delivered as a downloadable PDF (electronic report). It includes:

Every registered document (also known as an instrument) appearing on the Parcel Register has a corresponding registration number. If you want to dig a little deeper, you can use the registration number to request the corresponding instrument and view an image of the document that was registered.  

As an industry professional, you understand the importance of fostering long-lasting relationships with your clients to aid in referrals. This often comes from building trust. The Parcel Register is an essential tool in completing your due diligence for your clients and ensuring that they continue to trust your expertise. An example of this is if there is a registration on Title that the owner is not aware of. As their trusted advisor, you can have that initial conversation with them so that they can contact their lawyer and have it dealt with far in advance of closing. This demonstrates your commitment to offering exceptional service and shows you’re consistently advocating for your clients’ best interests.    

Parcel Registers are useful when it comes to strengthening due diligence practices in your business. With a simple search, you have access to extensive insight into the property and the ability to identify encumbrances on the title that may affect land use or equity early in the client engagement. This report provides you with the factual data and insight into a property that may not have been previously disclosed to you by the sellers. A Parcel Register provides you with specific dates, the number of transfers, and mortgage registrations that can help you identify any undischarged mortgages that may delay closing.   

Additionally, using a Parcel Register will help you assess how heavily encumbered the homeowner is with respect to mortgages and liens and how that equity position may affect their ability to finance the commissions. The Parcel Register can help reveal any issues that may arise in the buying and selling process. This small investment could help protect your commission and can provide your clients with confidence in the purchase or sale of their new home.

To read more about Parcel Register and the power of title data, click here. 

Parcel Registers, as well as Instrument Images, are available online through the GeoWarehouse Store. To learn more about Parcel Registers, sign up for training or learn more in the GeoWarehouse Academy. 

*An official product of the Ontario government pursuant to provincial land registration statutes. The Parcel Register may not include all the information that is required to guarantee your commission. The Parcel Register can be used as a tool in your due diligence process to reduce the risk of closing issues that can affect your commission. The Parcel Register does not guarantee your commission.