A title search, which indicates the process of determining a property’s ownership, is crucial before buying or selling a real estate property. You need to make sure the title is free and clear to avoid unexpected issues with your right to access the property. So in this article, we’ll show you how a property title works and the best ways to check it.
What is a property title search?
A property title search is for identifying the ownership of a property and uncovering restrictions on its full use. For buyers, this helps them verify the current seller is the actual owner and rule out potential legal risks. Sellers also need to check the title in case there are claims or liens on the property they’re not aware of.
If the property title search spots significant defects, your ownership might be challenged and lots of annoying issues will arise. So make sure to resolve them before you move forward with the purchase. Some of the most common defects include:
- A broken chain of title, which indicates the title was not properly transferred in the past due to fraud or inheritance issues;
- A lien on the property caused by unpaid taxes, debts, or other judgments;
- Bankruptcy by the current owner;
- Pending divorce proceedings, where the property ownership is undetermined;
3 ways to run a property title search
You can do a title search independently or rely on professional services to save time and hassle. To start a search, you should obtain any of these information : the property’s full address, the property owner’s name or the parcel number.
Method 1 – Search for public records manually
A title search requires examining a number of legal documents and property records on deeds of ownership, transfer, mortgages, and taxes. Depending on the types of documents required, you may need to reach out to different government sources including the local county recorder, county clerk’s office, tax assessor, registry of deeds, county courthouse and so on. Simply visit the Public Record Online Directory to find links to property-related departments.
Some states have digitized their databases so people can search online. But in others, you have to visit the appropriate offices in person. The property records are usually free for public viewing, but a nominal fee will be charged for copies.
Read More: How to Find Property Tax by Address
Method 2 – Use a dedicated people search engine (recommended)
People search engines are the fastest and most efficient way to check a property’s history and do a title search. By collecting and sorting millions of public records from verified resources, it delivers up-to-date data related to your desired property into one easy-to-read report.
Option 1 – Reverse look up the address
BeenVerified is a powerful all-in-one people search tool that allows you to look up public records on an individual, a piece of property or even a vehicle. Its reverse address lookup tool reveals a wealth of information such as the property owners, home value, and sales history, while giving you a clear view of the neighborhood and people living nearby.
1) Go to the BeenVerified address lookup page.
2) Enter an address you’re looking to investigate and click Search.
3) Wait a few minutes as the results load. It may contain the property’s sales data, mortgage history timeline, tax assessments and deed data, and much more.
Option 2 – Search by the owner’s name
TruthFinder is a legit and reputable online service for offering comprehensive background reports. Beyond contact details like the person’s phone number, email and social media accounts, it digs up their criminal history and in-depth records such as marriage licenses, divorces, child support orders and so on.
1) Visit the TruthFinder official website.
2) Type in the property owner’s name and click Search.
3) Once the search process completes, unlock the report. You can click on any of the elements in the report navigation for more details. First, check the person’s assets.
Also pay attention to his/her bankruptcy, liens and other judgments in the Finances tabs. These event might affect the property or vehicle owned by the name.
Method 3 – Hire a title company
If you’re applying for a mortgage loan, your lender will require a title company for the title search. It’s a third party on behalf of both the lenders and buyers and help move the home transaction smoothly. Not only will they conduct thorough title searches as well as property surveys, but also transfer property rights, handle the closing, and provide insurance policies against the risk of title defects. While a title company is not mandatory in some jurisdictions or if you’re paying in cash, hiring one will give you peace of mind.
To choose a reliable title company, simply ask your lender or real estate agent for suggestions. Or you could ask your friends or family to see if they have a recommendation. The cost of a title search varies by location. In most cases, it goes between $75 and $250.
Conclusion
So that’s three ways for you to conduct a property title search. Government agencies are official sources for property records like property deeds, tax records, mortgage reports and survey maps. They’re available to any interested people upon request. If you don’t feel like investing time, use a third-party public record search engine or hire a title company to help you out.