What is a New Jersey Real Estate Title Search?

Once you’ve found a New Jersey property and you’re ready to take the next steps towards making your purchase, you’ll want to be sure to perform a real estate title search. A property title is a document that shows legal proof of ownership for a property. (1) Therefore, a property title search is a report made up of information sourced from public records regarding a specific property that confirms the legal owner of that property. This report is essential in the process of purchasing a property.

What Are the Benefits of Performing a Property Title Search in New Jersey?

One of the best ways to make sure that you are making a secure investment is to perform a New Jersey property title search. This report will inform you of any potential issues that the property may present, which will allow you to always make thoughtful, educated decisions.

The property title search process will reveal any hidden debts, liens against the property, deed restrictions, and easements, all of which can factor into your decision as to whether or not to purchase the property. Perhaps most importantly, the report will verify the authenticity of the owner’s legal right to the property.

Avoid Transaction Delays

Initiating a New Jersey property title search helps reduce any potential delays when it comes to purchasing and closing on a property. Waiting until the last minute only to discover a clouded title can stop down the sale entirely, or create significant delays. Learning about any issues earlier on in the sale process gives you ample time to address them so you can move forward in a timely manner.

Discover Any Easements or Deed Restrictions

One of the biggest reasons you’ll want to perform a New Jersey property title search is to discover any easements or deed restrictions that place limitations on how a property may be used. An easement refers to a situation in which another party has the right to utilize a piece of your land, which can occur for various reasons. For example, a utility company may require access to your land to service the area. You’ll want to be fully aware of anyone else who has legal access to your land before purchasing a property.

On the other hand, you may also find that your property has deed restrictions in place. These can be anything from limitations on building a fence, obstructing a neighbor’s view, or establishing a business that runs from within your home. These are also important to understand in advance of a purchase because just like easements, they’ll impact the way you use and ultimately sell your property in the future.

Learn About the Property’s History

Another benefit of a property title search is that in addition to learning current information regarding a property, a property title search will reveal quite a bit about the property’s unique history. You’ll learn about its various owners as well as any important events that have occurred on the property over the years. 

Are New Jersey Property Records Public Information?

In New Jersey, property records are considered public information because they are used to process property taxes. The Freedom of Information Act mandates that documents handled by government facilities, including the registry of deeds, must be accessible by the public. 

Despite the fact that these records are publicly accessible, they often only provide basic information and don’t typically go in depth at the risk of releasing potentially private or personal information about past owners. Additionally, other key documents, like trusts and wills, are often publicly available. Many more detailed documents such as these must be requested from the county in which they were filed.

How Do I Check My New Jersey Home Title?

If you own a property in New Jersey and wish to learn more information regarding the title, you can usually find this information at the registry of the deeds office within your county. If you are still paying your mortgage, there won’t be a deed, but you will be able to find the record of ownership. Alternatively, you can work with a service like Title Search Direct to gain access to a full property title report.

How Much Does a New Jersey Title Search Cost?

The cost of performing New Jersey title search will vary depending on the complexity and extent of the property’s history. If a property has a robust history with several owners, it will take much more work and time to complete the search, which will drive up the cost. Additionally, if you choose to add extra searches, like those for wills or trusts, to your property title search, the cost will also increase. If you opt to request a full search, which uncovers all public information related to the property, you can expect a higher price point still.

The opposite is also true, however. A property with a simple history will be significantly less expensive. When you work with Title Search Direct, you can begin your New Jersey title search for as little as $35.

How Long Does it Take to Perform a New Jersey Title Search?

As you might expect, the length of time it takes to complete a title search in the state of New Jersey is determined by how detailed and complex the property’s history turns out to be. That said, most property title searches in New Jersey can be completed within eight to fourteen business days. There may be delays due to bank holidays or during peak homebuying season.

When you’re trying to assess how long a property title search might take, you’ll want to take the age of the property into consideration. Most of the time, the older the property, the longer it will take to perform a property title search that’s complete and thorough because there’s much more documentation to go through and synthesize.

Another factor that can contribute to the length of time it takes to complete a property title search in New Jersey is which additional types of searches you wish to include. For example, if your search includes information regarding legal disputes pertaining to the property line, building, or land, you can anticipate that it may take longer.

Search Property Records Quickly with Title Search Direct

When you’re ready to begin your New Jersey property title search, Title Search Direct’s team of experts is standing by, ready to ensure that you get all of the important and accurate information you need to inform your real estate purchase. Title Search Direct is our country’s top title search provider, and that’s due to our easy, fast, and reliable service.

With 25 years of experience, Title Search Direct knows the ins and outs of property title searches in New Jersey like no one else. Real estate is our passion, and our team of professionals are incredibly skilled at researching and retrieving public records.

To initiate your New Jersey title search, use our online search service. With just a few simple clicks, our team will get to work gathering all of the information you need to move forward with your real estate purchase.

1. FHA.com, Understanding Property Title
     https://www.fha.com/define/property-title