Qualify Investment Purchases

​A title abstractor does a title search and evaluates public documents.  They gather information, analyze data, and report their findings to you.

​Qualify Your Investment Purchase with an Abstractor
By Pierre Mouchette | Real Property Experts LLC

A title abstractor does a title search and evaluates public documents to see whether a title is clear of any "clouds."  These clouds are restrictions that may affect the property's ownership in question and may affect how the property is used or sold.
A title abstractor

• Gathers information – the abstractor collects information from public documents and other relevant sources.  They will look at deeds, titles, wills, marriage and birth certificates, and other pertinent records.
• Information and data analysis – they review all information to see any "chinks" in the chain of title.  They ascertain who the property heirs are and whether all the heirs have correctly signed off on a sale or transfer of ownership of the property.  They analyze all information to verify that the transfers were appropriately completed and legally comply with prevailing laws and regulations.  The abstractor also checks land and street map books to confirm the legal property address.
• Information reporting - after looking at the information, the title examiner and abstractor will produce a title opinion, outlining the clouds in the title, if there are any. The title opinion will state the examiner's opinion of the status of the title.

 
Other things that the abstractor will check are:

• zoning and building ordinances that may affect the use and sale of the property
• liens attached to the property
• existence of trust deeds and mortgages
• unpaid property taxes