Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
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Also known as:
Abstract Searcher, Abstract Writer, Advisory Title Officer, Escrow Officer, Land Title Examiner, Lease Examiner, Lien Searcher, Title Agent, Title Checker, Title Examiner
See all Finance Careers.
Every time someone buys or sells real estate, a clear title to the property must be proved so that the transaction can proceed legally. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers are like real estate detectives.
Examiners search public records and examine titles to determine a property's legal condition. They copy or summarize recorded documents, such as mortgages, trust deeds, and contracts that might affect the title to the property. They might also prepare and issue a policy that guarantees the title's legality. An abstractor summarizes legal or insurance information, including section of law from reference books that could bear on the property title. Searchers investigate real estate records, examine titles, or summarize legal or insurance details for a variety of purposes.
Often, one person handles these three tasks. The title examiner, abstractor and searcher can be self-employed or work for a title search and guarantee firm. You need a high school or associate degree, good research and investigation skills, and an understanding of legal terms. Most training is on-the-job with experienced workers. Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers perform an important piece of millions of transactions every year.
Leadership |
HIGH
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Critical decision making |
HIGH
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Level of responsibilities |
LOW
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Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines |
HIGH
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Dealing and handling conflict |
LOW
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Competition for this position |
MED
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Communication with others |
HIGH
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Work closely with team members, clients etc. |
HIGH
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Comfort of the work setting |
HIGH
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Exposure to extreme environmental conditions |
LOW
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Exposure to job hazards |
LOW
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Physical demands |
LOW
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Copy or summarize recorded documents, such as mortgages, trust deeds, and contracts, that affect property titles.
Prepare lists of all legal instruments applying to a specific piece of land and the buildings on it.
Examine documentation such as mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, plat books, maps, contracts, and agreements to verify factors such as properties' legal descriptions, ownership, or restrictions.
Prepare reports describing any title encumbrances encountered during searching activities, and outlining actions needed to clear titles.
Retrieve and examine real estate closing files for accuracy and to ensure that information included is recorded and executed according to regulations.
Read search requests to ascertain types of title evidence required and to obtain descriptions of properties and names of involved parties.
Confer with realtors, lending institution personnel, buyers, sellers, contractors, surveyors, and courthouse personnel to exchange title-related information or to resolve problems.
Enter into record-keeping systems appropriate data needed to create new title records or update existing ones.
Examine individual titles to determine if restrictions, such as delinquent taxes, will affect titles and limit property use.
Obtain maps or drawings delineating properties from company title plants, county surveyors, or assessors' offices.
Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
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Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
Interacting With Computers | Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
Processing Information | Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
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Analyzing Data or Information | Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems | Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
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Law and Government | Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. |
Clerical | Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology. |
Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
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Computers and Electronics | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
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Mathematics | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
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Production and Processing | Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
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Geography | Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life. |
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Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. |
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Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
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Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
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Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
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Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
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Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
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