The Abstract Details & Documents Searched
How complicated is a complete and accurate Title Search? Below is a list of types information that is reviewed in during research and abstracting of an AFX Research | TitleSearch.com Title Search Report. Not every topic will apply to your property, but we check them all.
Official Title Abstract Document:
A professional abstract title report is provided, not just a deed or owners' report.
Search Date:
Documents the date of search by the professional title abstractor.
Official Effective Date:
The date the most recent official recorded records are publically available for the property.
Document Book & Page:
Written location of the historical documents, showing book and page or document number.
Document Dates:
Abstracted date of when the instrument was signed and/or recorded into official public records.
Official Property Legal Description:
A property legal description, typically in either typed or "Schedule A" format.
Property APN:
The official assessors parcel number(s), abstracted into the title report.
County Name Index Search:
All owners names are run against the county name index for hits on recorded instruments for the property.
Ownership Structure:
Abstracts the listed ownership structure; joint tenants, individual, corporate, tenants in common, etc.
Partnership Agreement:
Abstracts any partnership ownership upon the property, of which may encumber the property.
Trust Agreement:
A search and reporting for any trust agreements that hold ownership rights in the property.
Probate and Heirs:
Examination for and reporting of any probate notices or court orders on the property.
Power of Attorney:
This will show if the property owner has legally recorded an authorized party to act on their behalf with regard to property transactions.
Deed Copy:
Search includes an official copy of the most recent deed (current deed), with county recording stamp and date.
Corrective Deed:
In the event an error existed on a prior deed, a corrective deed can be used to rectify the error.
Bond for Title:
Reporting of transaction agreements in which the seller retains the legal property title until the buyer completes all payment under the contract.
Option to Purchase:
This will show if the owner has recorded a purchase option issued to another party.
Affidavit:
Reporting of any recorded property affidavits; sworn written statement used to assert facts related to the ownership, condition, history, or status of a property.
Waiver of Rights:
Examination and abstracting of any legal recorded documents in which a party voluntarily relinquishes certain legal rights, claims, or interests they may have in a property.
Mortgage Search:
Abstracting of any open mortgages with mortgage lender information, mortgage origination amounts, and dates; listed in order of apparent priority (first mortgage, second mortgage, etc).
Abstract Trustee:
Reports any trustees assigned to a mortgage or deed of trust.
Equity Loan Search:
A search and reporting of any unconventional or equity loans, often second mortgages; hard money, private, and home equity lines (HELOC).
Mortgage Assignments:
Title abstract will reference mortgage assignments recorded within the official land records.
Subordination Agreement:
Loan priority can be changed through subordination, to help accomplish a refinance.
Mortgage Modification:
Many mortgages are being modified by lenders in the current market. The latest recorded modification is included.
Voluntary Liens:
Examination and reporting of any other unsatisfied, unreleased voluntary liens which encumber the property.
Municipal Assessed Value:
Reports the municipal assessed value (MAV), typically completed by the county assessors office.
Tax Payment:
Detail of tax status of the assessor account, with amounts, dates of payments, and delinquent payments due.
UCC Filing:
Business debts and coop financing can end up as UCC claims in the property records.
Civil Court Records Search:
Reporting on civil court records found to be recorded against the land records of the property.
Mechanics Liens:
Abstracting of liens placed by contractors for non-payment of services or materials at the property.
Judgment Liens:
Examination and abstracting for property liens as result of financial judgments.
Federal Tax Liens:
Also known as a Treasury Lien, Federal Tax Liens for unpaid US Treasury / IRS tax payments is reported.
State Tax Search:
Checks for unpaid sales tax, employment taxes, state licenses, and other state-level delinquencies.
Municipal Services Liens:
Shows liens against the title for unpaid municipal services such as utilities, water, sewer, trash or school assessments.
Child Support Lien:
Searches for liens of delinquent child support payments.
Spousal Support Lien:
Encumbrances for delinquencies of spousal support, alimony, or other court required payments.
Bail Bond Lien:
Properties are often used as collateral for bail bonds, for people other than the property owner. These liens are often overlooked by inexperienced title abstractors.
Levy on Property:
This action is most commonly associated with unpaid taxes, fines, or judgments against the property owner. It can even act as a lien on a lien.
Release of Lien:
Not typically abstracted, as Lien Satisfaction (release of lien, or ROL) is as it states: satisfied. This is how an abstractor will know whether to list a lien as an existing encumbrance in a title abstract.
Notice of Commencement:
Abstracts any Notice of Commencements, which often protect the lien rights of contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
Mineral Lease or Deed:
Documents any recorded instruments found to convey ownership and/or grant use of mineral rights on a piece of property.
Property Easement Search:
Shows easements, right-of-ways, and other property allowances for the owners name. (For easements dating prior to the current owner, a full Easement Search should be ordered).
Lease Search:
Recorded leases can affect the ownership and use of a property.
Notice and Order:
A reporting on any formal recorded documents issued by a government authority, informing owner(s) of a legal violation related to their property and to order corrective actions.
Property Restrictions:
Examination and abstracting of any additional recorded documents at official public records which restrict the property.
Bankruptcy Search:
Abstracts any legal documents on official public record that currently encumber the property.
Special Assessment:
Subdivisions and condo associations place these to cover expenses, often as a result of foreclosures in the development.
Default & Sale Notice:
Abstracts any notice of default (NOD) and notice of sale (NOS) recorded upon the subject foreclosing property.
Foreclosure Search:
Reporting on foreclosure status, listing any lis pendens and other related foreclosure orders of record under power.