As a new property owner, you want to know the history of your property. Perhaps you are a prospective buyer who wants to close the deal on a real estate purchase. But you still want to feel safe and learn more about owning the property outright. Can you do your own title search? Yes, but there are some pros and cons involved. Let Cortes & Hay help you with your title searches.
What Is a Title Search?
Buying a house or commercial property can be an exciting milestone. However, completing a title search should be on your to-do list before taking ownership of your new property. A title search examines the property’s public records, including all instances of legal ownership and any claims or liens that may have been filed against it.
Any undiscovered claims or liens on a property may result in another person or entity trying to stake their claim on your property, which can cause countless issues. Hence, a title search is imperative.
Can I Complete My Own Title Search?
Yes, you can do your own title search. Deeds and some public records are available online. However, this is a lengthy and intricate process. The advantages and disadvantages of individual title searches include:
Advantage: Saving Money
By handling the title search yourself, you may save on the fees typically charged by title agents or companies.
Disadvantage: Legal Complexities
A title search identifies previous property owners, loans, taxes, liens or other legal claims on the property. These documents can often hold legal terminology and other complex legal phrasing that may be difficult to decipher.
Understanding the documentation provided with a title search requires specialized knowledge. When you complete a title search on your own, you risk not fully understanding the results of the search, and as such, can even miss potential legal issues.
Advantage: Availability
Many property records, including deeds and some liens, are available online, allowing you to begin the process from home..
Disadvantage: Availability
The same pro can also be a con. While most information is available to the public, some documents may only be accessible to legal professionals to complete the most thorough title search. As a new property owner, you want to know everything there is to know about the property. When working with a title company, some of the typical information gathered with a title search can include:
- Liens (e.g., unpaid mortgages or contractor bills)
- Unpaid property taxes
- Boundary or survey disputes
- Forged or fraudulent documents
- Claims by unknown heirs or previous owners
There is only so much you can access online. You don’t want to risk issues regarding your property due to unavailable details or problems you may have missed. Not to mention, gathering this information can be tremendously time-consuming for many individuals. This is where we can help.
How Can a Title Agency Help Me?
Title searches can be used to uncover some hidden problems with properties. These title defects can become an obstacle when determining the rightful property owner and cause various legal troubles. As a new homeowner, conducting a property title search is non-negotiable. With over 4.06 million homes sold in the United States in 2024 alone, it should be on every property buyer’s list to complete a professional title search for their property.
A professional title search typically involves:
- Reviewing the chain of ownership through recorded deeds
- Checking for outstanding mortgages, liens, or judgments
- Verifying property tax status and any unpaid taxes
- Investigating easements, restrictions, or encroachments
- Searching for bankruptcy filings, divorce settlements, or probate records that could affect ownership
This thorough process helps ensure that the property’s title is clear and marketable, reducing the risk of future disputes.
While doing your own title search may seem appealing and cost-effective, it can create more problems in the long run. For example, you may miss claims due to the complex legal terminology in title documents and be unable to access specific records.
Working with a title company can ensure your title search results reveal all there is to know about a property. This knowledge provides the peace of mind that a title professional is researching everything about your future property for your benefit.
Contact Cortes & Hay Today
Cortes & Hay is the title agency you can trust for the most thorough title searches. We specialize in title searches for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. With more than 50 years of experience, we strive to give property owners peace of mind. Contact us now to get started on your title search.