Legal Definitions - Title search

Definition: A title search is a process of examining public records to identify any issues or claims that may affect the ownership of a property. This search is conducted to ensure that the property's title is clear and marketable, meaning that there are no liens, encumbrances, or other defects that could prevent the transfer of ownership.

For example, if you are buying a house, you would want to conduct a title search to make sure that the seller has the legal right to sell the property and that there are no outstanding mortgages, tax liens, or other claims against the property. Similarly, if you are a lender, you would want to conduct a title search to ensure that your mortgage will be the first lien on the property and that there are no other creditors with superior claims.

Overall, a title search is an important step in any real estatetransaction to protect the interests of both buyers and lenders.