Online title search companies? Legit?

Question

Anyone ever use one of the many online title search companies? Experiences?

I have a local company I use now and they can be pretty slow. Couple weeks sometimes. Some of the online companies claim a 48hr turnaround.

I know in the distant past that someone would physically go to the courthouse to search records. Is that still the case? If so how can an online company do that? Or are they just relying on online records only?

Most of the online companies that I found claim to insure their searches.

Just curious. Thanks!

Ryan Keith · Answer

The main purpose is to find out asap if a property is investable before I purchase it. I've bought some tax properties (i have tax deeds) that I later found out had liens on them that my ciurrent lawyer is telling me I will need to pay off before I can sell the properties.

I'm trying to avoid that in the future and if it means spending a few hundred dollars to save me several thousand dollars in potential loss later then I should do that.

So it sounds like the online service may be good enough for my needs.

Ned Carey · Answer

What is the purpose of the search? I can't imagine a title company is going to use your title abstract to do the settlement and insure it. If you are using it to help do deals sure why not delegate the task to the cheapest fastest provider.

Kevin D. · Answer

In my county, you can search any judgements on the property via the Prothonotary's website and search mortgages/liens on the Recorder of Deeds website through a software system that you can download for free.

Both systems make you pay for any pages of the documents that you want to print/download.  I researched a property online for <$45 or so.  I can't guarantee I caught everything though, because I'm new at this.