Title Insurance vs. Real Property Reports (RPR): Understanding Risks and Availability in Alberta Real Estate
When you are close to finalizing a home purchase in Alberta, the paperwork can become overwhelming. Two terms often cause confusion for buyers and sellers alike: the Real Property Report (RPR) and Title Insurance. While often presented as an "either/or" option during a time crunch, they serve very different purposes. Based on guidelines from the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) and standard Alberta contracts, here is what you need to know about availability, risks, and protection. The Gold Standard: The Real Property Report (RPR) According to the RECA Home Buyer's Guide, a Real Property Report is a legal document prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor. It is essentially a map of the property that shows property boundaries and the location of improvements (structures) relative to those boundaries. However, the document alone isn’t enough. To be fully effective for a transaction, an RPR usually requires evidence of municipal compliance. This is a stamp from the municip...