A property title search is the preliminary title work. This entails a thorough examination of all public records that involve title to a specific property by the legal descriptions. The purpose is to provide notice of title flaws that must be dealt with before the property can change hands. Before issuing title insurance, we search for unknown defects in a real estate title that may impact the transferability of the property on future transactions.

Title searches are done on behalf of property owners and lenders. We review various court and public records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, wills, divorce orders, unsatisfied judgments, encumbrances, tax records and maps. A title search will identify the legal owner of the property, a chain of title, as well as any outstanding debts, liens, claims or other encumbrance on a piece of real property.  Common property title defects may include: