If you've decided to purchase a home and hope to take possession as soon as possible, and all financial arrangements have been met, there is one important detail remaining before the transaction can be closed,   a title search should be made.

A Title Search is the process of determining from the public records what rights there are to the property, and who owns them.  A title search is a means of determining that the person selling the property has the right to sell it and that the buyer is getting all the rights to the property that he or she is paying for.

The title search can tell you and your lender who bought and sold the property over the years and if there are any open liens, such as mortgages, deeds of trust or potential other owners who may need to sign the deed.

In addition, the title search provides the present status of real estate taxes and other municipal charges that may be due and payable from previous years.
A title search certifies that all rightful owners of record have signed the deed and that all recorded liens and judgments have been recorded and/or satisfied.