What Happens During a Title Search in Real Estate?
When buying or selling a home in Arizona, one of the most important steps in the process is the title search. This behind‑the‑scenes work is essential to making sure the sale can happen legally — and without future ownership disputes.
At Arizona Premier Title, we perform a thorough title search on every transaction to protect your property rights and keep your closing on track.
The Purpose of a Title Search
A title search is a deep review of public property records to confirm two key things:
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The seller has the legal right to sell the property.
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There are no unresolved claims, liens, or encroachments that could affect ownership.
Without a clean title, you can’t close on the property — and lenders won’t fund the loan.
What the Title Search Uncovers
During the search, we look for:
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Current Ownership Records – Verifying that the seller’s name matches the official title records.
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Liens & Judgments – Checking for unpaid property taxes, contractor liens, or legal judgments against the property.
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Mortgages – Ensuring all prior mortgages are released or will be paid off at closing.
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Easements & Restrictions – Identifying rights of way, utility access, or restrictions on property use.
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Encroachments – Confirming no structures (like fences or driveways) improperly cross property lines.
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Clerical Errors – Spotting mistakes in legal descriptions or prior deeds that could cause disputes.
Why It Matters
A title search protects buyers, sellers, and lenders by ensuring that ownership is clear and free from problems. Without it, you risk:
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Buying a home that comes with someone else’s debt.
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Facing legal disputes over ownership.
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Being unable to sell or refinance in the future.
What Happens If Issues Are Found?
If we discover any title problems — often called clouds on title — we work to resolve them before closing. This might include:
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Paying off outstanding liens.
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Correcting public record errors.
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Negotiating releases for disputed claims.
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Filing legal actions if necessary.
Only after the title is clear can we proceed to underwriting and issuing title insurance.
The Bottom Line
The title search is the foundation of a safe real estate closing. It ensures that when you take ownership, you do so free from hidden debts, disputes, or restrictions.
At Arizona Premier Title, we leave no stone unturned in protecting your investment — so you can buy or sell your property with confidence.