What is a title search and why should I do one?

A title search is an important step in the process of buying a home in South Carolina. It is a legal review of land records and documents that verify a particular property’s ownership history. It is important to do a title search to make sure there are no hidden liens or encumbrances placed on the property by prior owners or creditors. These could be claims to the property or responsibility for unpaid bills, taxes, or related obligations. A title search can be done by a title company or an attorney. The title company will search the public records for any liens or judgments against the property. These records include the deed of trust, mortgages, judgments, bankruptcy filings, and any other documents that may affect the title of the property. It also searches records of unpaid property taxes that may be due. The title company will then issue a title report that states whether there are any liens or encumbrances on the home. If there are, the title report will indicate their amount and source. If everything checks out in the title report, you can move forward with your purchase. Knowing the history of the home is important in order to have secure ownership of the property. Finally, a title insurance policy will protect you in case there are any issues with the title that were overlooked during the title search. This is why it is important to do a title search before you purchase any residential real estate property in South Carolina.

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What is a title search and why should I do one?

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