WHAT IS A PROPERTY TITLE?

A property title is a collection of documents that are associated with a given property, identified by a unique parcel number.

WHAT IS A PROPERTY TITLE SEARCH?

A Property Title Search is the process of retrieving all associated documents using the owner’s name, address or parcel number. There are many sources for associated documents, such as the local county clerk’s office, the county recorder’s office and the county tax collector’s office.

WHEN DO I GET MY TITLE SEARCH REPORT?

A property title search report will be available in 1 to 12 business hours (depending on the county and complexity of the search) as a single PDF file containing all relevant documents. If the order is placed during the weekend or on a holiday, the report will be available in the following business day.

There are exceptions in delivering the search report in the above mentioned time-frame:

Very complex searches going back many years (lengthy chain of title)

Document retrievals from archives (dependent on clerk’s turnaround time)

Judgment requests from the county (dependent on clerk’s turnaround time)

Tax Collector call backs for tax information on the property

Lengthy searches (mostly for commercial properties or raw land)

Common name on title (includes common first/last names, goverment/city ownership, etc. which produce excessive results)

HOW DO I RECEIVE THE TITLE SEARCH REPORT?

You will receive the completed report in an email upon completion.

WILL THE SEARCH FIND ALL LIENS ON THE PROPERTY?

Yes. If the lien is properly recorded against the property, our title search report will show it. Please note that some areas have additional registries to search for liens which may result in an additional fee. In NJ, PA, NY and MA, a tax certificate is required for tax status/tax lien verification at an additional fee. Any information included on our reports without a certificate is not insurable and is unverified.

WHO DO I CALL TO DISCUSS MY TITLE REPORT?

It will be our pleasure to go over your title search with you over the phone at 551-220-6677 or by email at support@expresstitlesearch.com

I ONLY HAVE AN APN OR PARCEL NUMBER. IS THIS ENOUGH TO PERFORM A TITLE SEARCH?

An APN or parcel number is sufficient to run a title search. Enter the APN or parcel number in the address field of the Title Search Address Order Page along with the city and state.

CAN I PERFORM A TITLE SEARCH MYSELF?

The answer is yes, however, we do not recommend it unless you have experience and know where and what to look for.

DO I NEED A TITLE SEARCH WHEN I BUY A PROPERTY VIA SHERIFF’S SALE OR FORECLOSURE SALE?

Yes. Buyers need to verify all liens and mortgages against the property before offering to bid on the property at the sheriff’s sale. It is very common that the bid amount at the auction does not reflect the total lien amount against the property. All liens associated with a foreclosed property transfer to the new owner (except for certain types of sheriff’s sales).

ARE ALL DOCUMENTS LOCATED IN A SINGLE FILE AT THE COUNTY OFFICE?

No. Documents are recorded by the county recorder in chronological order; therefore, careful indexing is required to assemble all required documents for a given property.

WHAT IS THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY?

A legal description of a property identifies the particular parameters of a piece of property. It can be part of a subdivision or metes & bounds (boundary lines of land, with their terminal points and angles). Each parcel (property ID number) has its own legal description specific to that exact property with no two the same.

WHAT IS AN INDEX?

Documents are typically searched in an index directory where the search can be done using certain criteria.

WHAT IS A DEED?

A deed is an official transfer document showing the change in property ownership.

WHAT IS A MORTGAGE?

A mortgage is a legal contract between lender and borrower that would allow the lender certain rights to the property in the case of mortgage default.

WHAT IS A MORTGAGE RELEASE OR SATISFACTION?

Upon paying off the mortgage with a given lender, the lender would issue a mortgage release against the property.

WHAT IS A LIEN?

A lien is a claim against the property or the owner that is recorded in public records.

WHAT IS A MORTGAGE ASSIGNMENT?

An assignment is the action of transferring mortgage debt from one lender to another.

WHAT IS “LIS PENDENS”?

Lis Pendens is a term used to indicate that a foreclosure action has been initiated against the owner (or property).

WHAT IS ABSTRACTING?

The process of arranging documents in a logical order for a given property is called abstracting.

CAN I CALL THE COUNTY OFFICE TO ABSTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR MY PROPERTY?

County offices do not provide abstractor-related services and will not look for documents for you.

WHAT SERVICE DO I ORDER IF I BUY THE PROPERTY FROM THE BANK (REO)?

You have to order a Two Owner Title Search. A bank is counted as the current owner, while the liens on the house are most likely carried over from the previous owner.

WHO USES TITLE SEARCH AND PROPERTY RECORDS SEARCHES?

Our clients who use quick title searches and property reports are real estate investors, wholesalers, tax lien investors, tax deed investors, foreclosure and probate investors, REO investors, loan providers, and insurance agents. These are the professionals who need to have access to full property data quickly to access risk and liabilities of potential investments.

WHAT TYPE OF INFORMATION IS PROVIDED IN THE PRELIMINARY TITLE REPORT?

Mortgage Search: All open mortgages encumbering a property from the current owner, and a list of their assignments and modifications

Judgment Search: A name search for the current owner and any unreleased judgments and liens attaching to the property

Lien Search: Federal, State, and County Tax Liens, Code Enforcement Liens, Municipal and Special Assessment Liens, and Home Owner Association (HOA) Liens that transfer to the next owner

Deed Search: Most recent deed in the chain of title

Tax Search: Current and delinquent tax information

Please contact us with any additional questions, comments or concerns.