Differences of a Title Search vs Property Report?

Property records are saved in the county records offices -and other public records locations -as individual documents; such as deeds, mortgages, and liens. Each document represents an event that occurred in history on the property. For a particular property there may be dozens of documents spread out over time which change the status of a property. These documents are not all in one place, as they are stored in different books based on the day and month that the event happened. 

A title abstract, also known as a title search or title report, is an official report created by a professional title abstractor, which displays the results of these records. A title abstract document is not available from the county records office, and it is not available electronically. 

An official title abstract must be prepared by a professional title searcher who's trained to search public records for property records related to the subject parcel. Creating the title report requires knowledge of title documents and the recording system. A title abstract is a recital of the records found to be located in the title records, with obvious presumptions made such as mortgage refinances and lien releases. A title abstract does not offer legal advice, or title opinion which can only be provided by a qualified attorney. When obtaining property records information, be sure to determine if you will be receiving just raw property records, or a profession title abstract report. 

So what is a "property report" or "property card"? You may see that "property reports" are available online for immediate download, sometimes for as little as a few dollars. This "report", which may even claim to be a title search report, is typically a copy of the tax records, showing the name of the assessed owner, and possibly some neighborhood information. It may even provide some available online county records. But this is NOT the same as a title search by a credentialed title abstractor, as it does not guarantee abstracting for encumbrances (i.e. liens, judgments, mortgages, assignments) or ownership transfers, may not include or make reference to documents listed in a title search, and it is not certified as accurate.