When buying a home in Indiana, most considerations are based on face value.

Is the layout practical for your family?

Do you like the neighborhood?

Which finishes are present in the kitchen?

Does the price meet your requirements?

Is there enough room for everyone?

However, it's more than what's visible; it should also look at the things that are beyond the eye.

For instance, does the asking price of the house get appraised?

Will a foundation issue come up in the future?

Can the house be sold legally?

That's when a title search becomes useful.

What Is A Title Search?

A title search is exactly what it sounds like: it looks up public records to find out the property's legitimate owner or owners, checks for liens or other obligations and learns the true owner of the title.

One line of defense against a deal that ends in a deadlock during the home-buying process is a title search.

A title search shields the buyer from wasting time and funds on a property that isn't able to be sold lawfully or that has problems related to finances or the law. A title search has numerous advantages.

To learn more, here are some examples:

• The dream home of Mr. and Mrs. Smith captured their hearts. The property belonged to Mr. Jones's late mother, and he is eager to sell it. Before the title search returns, everything appears to be going according to plan. However, because his sister acquired half the house and isn't ready to sell, Jones is unable to sell it. Mr. and Mrs. Smith decided to buy another house and withdraw their offer. The Smiths saved time and heartache by pulling out of a contract that was never going to close, thanks to the title search.
• It's Ms. Russell's time to purchase her own house. She discovers a modestly priced, immaculate home in a pleasant area! Upon the completion of the title search, she discovers that thousands of dollars are owed in overdue taxes on the property. There is also a lien on the property because the seller paid for substantial landscaping but did not pay the entire bill. Ms. Russell avoided incurring large debt on a house that otherwise appeared to be within her budget, thanks to the title search.
• Mr. Curtis dreams of retiring to a peaceful beachside home where he may enjoy coffee and literature while listening to the sound of the waves. He discovers a tiny cabin that is ideal for his vision. The title search then returns with the information that the property is on an easement between a big condominium complex and the beach, meaning that people going to the beach will continuously interrupt his quiet time on his deck. Mr. Curtis was spared from purchasing a home that wasn't a good fit for him, again thanks to the title search.

Apart from these scenarios, title searches can reveal several other possible problems, such as inadvertent property boundary markings, code violations, or misfiled documentation. The buyer may need to invest time or money to fix any of these issues. There is no denying the advantages of a title search—it protects you during the home-buying process!

Want to know if your dream home might have potential issues? Our team at IndyLegal Title Services is here to help!

Contact us at 317-214-6023 to learn more.