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

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ABOUT TITLE EXAMINER, ABSTRACTOR, OR SEARCHER CAREERS

Video transcript

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.

SNAPSHOT

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Leadership	HIGH
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	LOW
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	MED
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

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.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Analyzing Data or Information	Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.

Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Production and Processing	Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

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.

TOP SKILLS

Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.

Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.