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A Question of Title: Property Rights and Asset Values

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Author Info
Thomas J. Miceli (University of Connecticut)
Henry J. Munneke (University of Georgia)
C. F. Sirmans (Florida State University)
Geoffrey K. Turnbull (Georgia State University)

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Abstract

This paper examines the impact of land title systems on property values. The predominant system in the U.S., the recording system, awards title to claimants over current possessors, whereas the Torrens registration system awards title to the current owner. In theory, the registration system maximizes property value, all else equal, but in practice, the systems differ depending on the risk of a claim and administrative costs. A natural experiment in Cook County, Illinois, where both systems have existed since 1897, allows a test of the theory. The results, based on commercial and industrial properties, reveal that parcels tend to self-select into the two systems based on the predictions of the theory.

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File URL: http://www.econ.uconn.edu/working/2008-32.pdf
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by University of Connecticut, Department of Economics in its series Working papers with number 2008-32.

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Length: 25 pages
Date of creation: Aug 2008
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:uct:uconnp:2008-32

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Postal: University of Connecticut 341 Mansfield Road, Unit 1063 Storrs, CT 06269-1063
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Related research
Keywords: Land title system; property rights; recording system; Torrens system;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
K11 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Property Law
P14 - Economic Systems - - Capitalist Systems - - - Property Rights
R14 - Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns

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References listed on IDEAS
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  1. Thomas Miceli & C.F. Sirmans & Geoffrey Turnbull, 1998. "Title Assurance and Incentives for Efficient Land Use," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 305-323, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Thomas J Miceli & C. F Sirmans & Geoffrey K Turnbull, 2003. "Land Ownership Risk and Urban Development," Journal of Regional Science, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 43(1), pages 73-94. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. McMillen, Daniel P. & McDonald, John F., 1991. "Urban land value functions with endogenous zoning," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 14-27, January. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  4. Baker, Matthew, et al, 2002. "Optimal Title Search," Journal of Legal Studies, University of Chicago Press, vol. 31(1), pages 139-58, January.
  5. Colwell, Peter F. & Munneke, Henry J., 1997. "The Structure of Urban Land Prices," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 321-336, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  6. Miceli, Thomas J. & Sirmans, C. F. & Turnbull, Geoffrey K., 2000. "The Dynamic Effects of Land Title Systems," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 47(3), pages 370-389, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  7. Hans R. Isakson & Mark D. Ecker, 2001. "An Analysis of the Influence of Location in the Market for Undeveloped Urban Fringe Land," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 77(1), pages 30-41. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  8. Miceli, Thomas J, et al, 2002. "Title Systems and Land Values," Journal of Law & Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 45(2), pages 565-82, October.
  9. Matthew Baker & Thomas Miceli & C. F. Sirmans & Geoffrey K. Turnbull, 2001. "Property Rights by Squatting: Land Ownership Risk and Adverse Possession Statutes," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 77(3), pages 360-370. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  10. Munneke, Henry J., 1996. "Redevelopment Decisions for Commercial and Industrial Properties," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 229-253, March. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  11. Brownstone, David & De Vany, Arthur, 1991. "Zoning, Returns to Scale, and the Value of Undeveloped Land," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 73(4), pages 699-704, November. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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