How to Pick a Title Search Company

A title search involves a search of all public records involving the title to a particular piece of property. If you're wanting to know the history of your property, or another property, it's best to pick a reputable title search company to help you through the process, rather than doing it yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Ask your friends and family for recommendations on a title search company. If you know someone in the real estate business, they would be a great source of information because they deal with title search companies during their real estate buying and selling transactions.
2. Narrow your title search company options down to two or three. You're going to want to check with the Better Business Bureau and/or local Chamber of Commerce to make sure that the title search companies you're considering have a good customer service reputation, and that they have the proper bonding and insurance coverage.
3. Know what you're looking for from a title search company. Whether you're looking into your own property's history for informational purposes or you're considering purchasing property and need to know the past and current status, it's important to state up front exactly what you expect from the company.
4. Find out what the title search company's services entail. There will be a search made of the property's history, but you want to know what the company's typical search consists of. Ask if the title searcher looks into court records for current or past liens or claims against the property, current mortgages or encumbrances upon the property, as well as problems within past title transfers or property descriptions.
5. Make sure you know the time frame and additional costs, if any. A thorough title search can take anywhere from one hour to one month, depending on what information they find. Ask whether you're going to have to pay more money if your title search takes longer than a standard search.
6. Pick your title search company. Go with the company that gives you the best answers and makes you feel confident that you're going to get your money's worth from their services.