Glossary of Searches

Title Searches

 

  • Current Owner Search: A search used to trace the ownership of a property. It shows who currently owns the property, and includes a copy of the vesting instrument (deed, etc.). We also will search public records for any open mortgage and documents pertaining to the open mortgage, plus search for any other documentation that has any bearing on the property being searched. An exhaustive search for liens/judgments will be done on all owners in the chain of title.
  • One Owner Search: Same as “Current Owner Search.”
  • Ownership and Encumbrances Search: Same as “Current Owner Search”, but no tax or assessment information.
  • Two Owner Search: Same as “Current Owner Search,” but we go back TWO owners in our search.
  • Full Search: Same as “Current Owner Search,” but we search back the number of years according to the state statute (often between 40 and 60 years), and report on all owners during that time.
  • Full Abstract: Same as any title search but no copies provided.
  • REO Search: Same as a “Two Owner Search.”
  • Pre-Foreclosure Search: Same as a “Two Owner Search.”
  • Foreclosure Search: Same as a “Two Owner Search.”
  • Legal and Vesting Deed Search: Search of the public records to determine 100% current ownership and provide the vesting deeds and legal description.
  • Legal and Vesting Deed Search with Mortgages: Same as “Ownership and Encumbrances Search.”
  • Purchase Money Mortgage (PMM Search): All of our title searches will search back to a good PMM.
  • Update Search: Once a Full Search has been done, the sale of property is making its way through escrow but on the day before the closing, one last search of the public records is done to locate any new documents or tax information.
  • Bringdown Search: Same as “Update Search.”
  • Open Mortgage Search: Locate any open mortgages on a property, provide copies of the mortgages and their satellite documents.
  • Open Deed of Trust Search: Same as “Open Mortgage Search.”
  • APN Search: Determine the parcel number for a property.
  • Parcel Search: Determine the parcel number for a property.
  • Residential Property and Homes Reports: Quick report of who owns a property along with the deed and legal description.
  • Document Retrieval: Search for and retrieve any document from public records.
  • Utility Search: Searches for any and all documents that may be filed from any utility company that affects the target property.
  • Sub-surface searches: Find any all records that affect the target property having to do with the sub-surface of the land such as oil and mineral rights. Subsurface rights usually include the right to oil, minerals and even water that’s found beneath the land’s surface.
  • Easements, Covenants, Conditions

Document Retrievals

 

  • Mortgage Search: Find a specific mortgage and retrieve copies.
  • Deed of Trust Search: Find a specific deed of trust (another name for a mortgage) and retrieve copies.
  • Deed Search: Find a specific deed and retrieve copies.
  • Loan Report: Copies of all open mortgages and related documents.
  • Assignment Search: An “assignment” is when one bank sells a mortgage or loan to another bank. Find all assignments that pertain to a specific mortgage.
  • Release Search: A “release” is a document saying that the mortgage/loan has been paid in full. Find a specific release and obtain a copy.
  • Satisfaction Search: A “satisfaction” is a document saying that the mortgage/loan has been paid in full. Find a specific satisfaction (usually called a “release” on the document) and obtain a copy.
  • Discharge Search: A “discharge” is a document saying that the mortgage/loan has been paid in full. Find a specific discharge (usually called a “release” on the document) and obtain a copy.
  • Lien Search: Locate any open liens against one specific person.
  • Environmental Lien Search: An environmental lien is a legal document filed on a piece of property when it has been discovered that the land has been exposed to toxic or harmful elements. A search of the public records to find any environmental liens that may have been filed on the property.
  • Court Case Document Retrieval: Locate a specific court case and retrieve copies of all documents in the file.
  • Judgment Search: Locate any open judgments against one specific person.
  • UCC Search: Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings allow creditors to notify other creditors about a debtor’s assets used as collateral for a secured transaction. UCC liens filed with Secretary of State offices act as a public notice by the “creditor” of the creditor’s interest in the property. Locate any open UCCs against a specific person or entity.
  • HOA Search: A homeowner’s association (HOA) is an organization in a subdivision, planned community, or condominium building that makes and enforces rules for the properties and its residents. A search of public records to locate the name of the HOA or Condominium Owners Association (COA) of a property.

  • Easements, CCRs, Rights of Way: An exhaustive search of the public land records taken to locate any EASEMENTS, COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, RESTRICTIONS, RIGHTS OF WAY.  We will search back within the time frame that you require.

  • Oil and Gas Lease Information: An oil and gas lease is an agreement between a mineral owner (property owner) and a company in which the owner grants the company the right to explore, drill and produce oil, gas, and other minerals below the surface of the earth. Search to find any documents showing oil, gas and mineral rights.
  • Plat Copy: a plat is a plot of land. A plat map is a diagram and is used to show how your purchased property is divided within your county, city, or neighborhood. Retrieve a particular plat map for a property.
  • Federal or State Tax Lien Search: Search for any federal/state tax liens for one particular name.
  • Property Tax Search: Locate and provide the property tax information for one particular property. How much is owed, is it paid, etc.
  • Power of Attorney Search: Locate and retrieve a POA.
  • Notice of Activity and Use Limitation (ALUs) Search: Environmental activity/use limitations (AULs) are legal restrictions filed for two main reasons: The prevention of exposure to environmental contamination and the management of public health and environmental risks associated with a property that has been contaminated. This is the kind of search you might need if you were buying a property that had recently been a dry cleaners, where a lot of chemicals are typically used. Search the public records for any use limitations and notices of activity.

Other Services

 

  • Cell Tower Searches: Any title search (current owner, two-owner, full search, etc.) done on a cell tower.
  • Commercial Searches: Any title search (current owner, two-owner, full search, etc.) done on a commercial property.
  • Bankruptcy Search: A search for the relevant documents pertaining to a bankruptcy.
  • Charles Jones & Tide Land Searches: Tideland Claim, Tideland Grant, Wetland Searches in New Jersey.
  • Patriot Act Search aka Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) Search: The SDN List is a compilation of entities and individuals that have been targeted under one or more of Treasury’s sanctions programs, and we will search this list for you.
  • Certified Copies: Certified copies of any document retrieval, certified by the county (limited jurisdictions, please inquire)
  • Document Recordings: Recording copies of any document, recorded at the county (limited jurisdictions, please inquire)
  • Attorney Certifications of Title: An attorney reviews the title search and signs off on it (limited jurisdictions, please inquire)