Reservation of title: a contract provision that the buyer retains the title to the property until the entire amount of the purchase price has been paid. Reservation of title is registered on the Abstract of Title as an encumbrance. It is not limited in time.
Holding title in abeyance: a request made by a buyer in connection to the sale transaction, which the title office registers. It is applicable for a limited period of time. In practice, it excludes any other action related to the property. It is an alternative to the reservation of title, often considered safer for the buyer.
