Tennessee Title Search

What is a Tennessee Property Title Search?

If you’ve been on the hunt for a new property in Tennessee, it’s hard to imagine anything more exciting than finding the home of your dreams. However, before you make the decision to purchase the property, you’ll want to take a few important steps, not the least of which is performing a property title search. Also referred to as a real estate title search, a property title search is a document that shows legal proof of ownership over a property. Therefore, a property title search is a report that is assembled from information gathered by searching through public records that confirms ownership of that particular property.

Chances are that you have heard people use the term “title” interchangeably with the term “deed,” but these are not the same, and it’s important that you understand the difference. A deed is a legal document awarded to a property owner once all debts against a property, such as a mortgage or a lien, have been paid in full. A title, on the other hand, represents the legal rights to ownership that a person has over a property.

For more information regarding titles and deeds, visit our FAQ page.

What Are the Benefits of Performing a Tennessee Real Estate Title Search?

There are a number of benefits to performing a property title search once you’ve found a Tennessee property that piques your interest. Perhaps the greatest benefit is that a property title search will ensure that your real estate investment is secure. When you receive the report, you’ll learn about any outstanding or potential issues that pertain to your property. Using that information, you can make all of the necessary decisions relating to your purchase with confidence.

Your property title search may reveal hidden debts, liens against the property, deed restrictions and easements. Each of these factors can significantly impact your decision to purchase the property, and will also play into how you will be able to use the property or sell it in the future. Additionally, the property title search will verify the authenticity of the owner’s legal right to sell the property.

How Much Does a Property Title Search Cost in Tennessee?

Just like every property you’ve seen during your real estate search is unique, every property title search is as well. The cost of a property title search is affected by many different factors, but the most significant is the complexity of the search. Take an older home, for example. If that house has a hundred years of history, there’s a very high chance that public records contain much more documentation about it than a home that’s only a few years old.

One of the other significant factors that play into the cost of a property title search is the breadth of the search. A simple search will be less expensive than a fill search that includes a deep dive into more detailed documents, like trusts and wills. When you request a full search that takes all different types of public records into account, you will incur a higher cost.

When you’re dealing with a newer property, you can expect that the price of a property title search will typically be much lower. Title searches performed by Title Search Direct can be completed for as low as $35. If you’re in a position to request a Tennessee title search, Title Search direct will calculate a price based on your individual situation.

What if I Want to Check My Own Home Title?

Home titles are public records, so you can check on your Tennessee property title any time you wish. The easiest way to locate information pertaining to your home title is to visit the registry of deeds office in your county. While you won’t find a deed if you are still in the process of paying off your mortgage or other debts, records of ownership will still be available.

If you are unable to locate the title or you have additional questions or concerns about your Tennessee property title, you may want to consider enlisting the help of professionals. A title search provider like Title Search Direct can perform a real estate title search and gather any information you may need regarding your property.

Who Completes the Title Search in the Tennessee Buying Process?

When you reach the point in your real estate purchasing process where it’s time to initiate a property title search, you’ll have to make an important decision regarding who completes the search. It’s true that there are no laws in place to keep someone from performing the search independently, as the records used to collate a report are all public, however it is not necessarily recommended. Properties that have complex histories or a long list of owners can present a substantial challenge to a novice.

For the most part, those who aren’t familiar with the Tennessee real estate requirements and sorting through public records are likely to struggle with the laws and legal jargon contained in the necessary documents. The process is time consuming and can be complicated, and that’s why it’s usually best to hire a professional, experienced title search company to take the reins. A title search company like Title Search Direct will make sure that your report is accurate and detailed.

In the state of Tennessee, the cost of the property search is generally paid by the seller, though there are exceptions in which both the buyer and the seller pay for their own title searches. (1)

How Long Does it Take to Perform a Tennessee Title Search?

Every property title search is different, which means so is the time frame it takes to complete each one. It will come as no surprise that the key factor in determining how long it will take is how complicated the property’s history turns out to be as well as the volume of public records on file. 

That said, most Tennessee property title searches can be performed in a time frame that ranges between eight and fourteen business days, barring any bank holidays. During peak homebuying season searches can also be delayed. 

Also, keep in mind that the extent of the search will help determine how long it will take to complete a real estate title search.

Ready to Get Started with Your Tennessee Property Title Search?

When you’re ready to initiate your real estate title search, you don’t have to look any further than Title Search Direct. Our passion for real estate is the reason why we’re the nation’s top title search provider. For 25 years, both new and seasoned homebuyers have relied on our professionalism and experience.

We’re the nation’s top title search provider, and our passion for real estate is the reason that homebuyers have relied on our expertise for the last twenty-five years. Our team provides fast, easy, and reliable service, and we understand the Tennessee title search process like none other.

It’s never been easier to initiate your next Tennessee property title search. Simply use our online search service, and in just a few clicks our team will be hard at work retrieving the public record information you need to move forward with your real estate purchase.

1. Ramonelle Zaragoza, The Seller’s Guide to Closing Costs in Tennessee

https://www.mashvisor.com/blog/closing-costs-in-tennessee/#:~:text=This%20fee%2C%20which%20is%20about,you%20can%20negotiate%20on%20this.