Short Answer
A title search is a review of public records to verify that the seller has legal ownership of the property and that there are no liens, judgments, or other claims against it. The title company or attorney performs the search before closing to ensure you receive clear ownership of the property. If issues are found, they must be resolved before the sale can proceed.
A title search is a critical step in the closing process. A title company or real estate attorney reviews the property's history by searching public records for deeds, mortgages, tax records, court judgments, liens, easements, and other documents that could affect ownership. The goal is to confirm that the seller has the legal right to transfer the property and that there are no outstanding claims against it. Common issues found in title searches include unpaid property taxes, outstanding mortgages that were never satisfied, judgments against previous owners, mechanic's liens from contractors who were not paid, easements that affect property use, and errors in public records. When issues are found, they must be resolved before closing. This may involve the seller paying off a lien, obtaining a release of a mortgage, or correcting a public record error. Title insurance protects you if title issues arise after closing. Your lender will require a lender's title policy, and I recommend also purchasing an owner's title policy to protect your equity.
Bob's Advice
Redfin Senior Agent · AI Certified Agent
A clean title is non-negotiable. You do not want to discover a problem with your ownership after you have moved in. I make sure the title search is completed early so there is time to resolve any issues before closing. Title issues are usually minor and easy to fix, but catching them early prevents closing delays. Your attorney or title company will handle the details, and I will make sure everything stays on track.
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