Why Every Realtor Needs an Owner & Encumbrance (O&E) Report Before Listing a Property

Jerad Larkin
Nov 8
2 min read

Realtors – before you put that property on the market, do you really know what’s happening behind the scenes?

The quickest way to avoid surprises is by ordering an Owner & Encumbrance Report (O&E Report). Think of it like looking under the hood of a home. It gives you a snapshot of ownership, liens, and potential title issues before you go live.

What Is an O&E Report?

An Owner & Encumbrance Report is a limited title search that shows the current ownership and any financial or legal obligations tied to a property. It doesn’t replace full title insurance, but it’s a powerful tool for real estate professionals to prepare a clean listing.

What Does an O&E Report Show?

An O&E Report typically includes:

Ownership – Who actually owns the property right now
Legal Description – The official way the property is identified in county records
Encumbrances – Liens, mortgages, judgments, or other claims attached to the property

This snapshot allows you to spot potential red flags before they derail your deal.

Why Realtors Should Order an O&E Report

Here’s why savvy agents use O&E Reports before every listing:

Confirm True Ownership
Sellers may not realize that another person is still on title-like an ex-spouse, family member, or even a previous owner with unresolved paperwork.
Catch Liens & Mortgages Early
Surprise tax liens or second mortgages can pop up and stall closing. Knowing upfront lets you address them before a buyer’s title search reveals the issue.
Strengthen Your Listing Presentation
Bringing an O&E Report to a seller meeting shows professionalism. You’re not just selling a home-you’re protecting your client from delays.
Avoid Contract Surprises
The last thing you want is a title issue discovered after going under contract. It puts your client’s move, and your reputation, at risk.

How O&E Reports Help in Colorado

In Colorado’s competitive real estate market, deals can move quickly. Having an O&E Report on hand helps:

Speed up contract-to-close timelines
Give sellers confidence that you’re prepared
Provide buyers reassurance that the property is being marketed transparently

As a Realtor, positioning yourself as proactive and detail-oriented can be the difference between winning or losing a listing.

How to Order an O&E Report

The good news? You don’t have to navigate this alone. At Chicago Title Colorado, I can order an O&E Report for you-fast. Whether you’re in Denver, Colorado Springs, or anywhere along the Front Range, I’ll make sure you have what you need before your listing goes live.

Learn how O&E Reports help Colorado Realtors uncover ownership and lien issues before listing. Order one fast with Jerad Larkin at Chicago Title Colorado.

Final Takeaway

An O&E Report is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and your client before listing a property. It confirms ownership, reveals hidden liens, and prevents costly surprises under contract.

Smart Realtors treat O&E Reports as part of their standard pre-listing checklist-and your sellers will thank you for it.