Performing my own title checks

[Jim L.]

Is there a simple way to do a free title search online?  There are many properties and foreclosures I am curious about and want to get an idea of what is owed on the property but don’t want to pay every time I am intrigued by a property.  I’ve been looking up some county assessor sites with no luck. Any help would be great. 

[Kevin Sobilo]

@Jim L., the answer is no.

First off a title search is meant to identify issues with the title not necessarily what is owed on a mortgage.

You can often guesstimate whats left on the mortgage by looking up the sale price and making a few assumptions about down payment and plug into a mortgage calculator and look at the amortization table.

Keep in mind as a property goes to foreclosure they tack on a bunch of fees/costs so the amount the lender will claim they are owed could be substantially more.

Also, keep in mind that a title search would look at a LOT more than a mortgage. For example if the owners have passed away inheritance taxes (state dependent) may be owed.  There are MANY kinds of issues that can affect title to a property and there isn't one simple way to look them up that is why paying someone to research and evaluate the title is actually a worthwhile thing at some point. You may choose to skip doing one up front but I suggest learning about all of the potential risks before you do.

[Eliott Elias]

You would have to do your own, they can take days to do.