Not really. In the modern environment of the internet and "everything online", it is common to wonder why the process of running a title search is so complex. Like most things, title research will become easier with experience. It can also be easier as counties adopt better technologies. But that is a slow, cumbersome, and usually an expensive endeavor.
Property title records are still recorded and stored as hard-copy paper documents. Information that is contained on hard-copy documents cannot be stored easily in an online database, as can most other types of records. Because of this, title searching involves searching through all of the recorded documents for a property. Property records are recorded the individual county, each of which has different procedures for the records office.
For example, to search for mortgages, the title examiner must first locate the copies of mortgage documents signed by the property owner. All of the papers for a property are not kept together in a group. These copies are kept in books, with each volume corresponding to a particular day and year. In order to locate all the open mortgages, the examiner must go through all the books over time, and find the documents that pertain to the subject property. The county normally keeps an index, which helps the examiner know which books to look in. The examiner must then look for documents that release any of these mortgages that were refinanced, or paid off. The same process is repeated for liens.
In some counties, there are multiple records offices to research. All of the information about the liens, and mortgages is contained in the wording of the documents, which must be retrieved and read individually. From this process, the title search abstract is created for a property.
For a more in depth outline of the documents and information we research, see our 50-Point Title Search article.
To get more answers and a quote for property title search, call 1-877-848-5337.