Title Examiner​/Title Searcher

What, exactly, does a Title Examiner do?

Well, if you've ever purchased a home from someone – whether or not you know it, you've had someone working on your behalf who did this job.

Title Examiners – also known as Title Abstractors or Title Searchers – are responsible for performing searches of real estate records, examining titles, and summarizing pertinent legal or insurance documents or details related to that property. Title Examiners compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to the real estate title by searching public and private records. They examine documentation such as mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, plat books, maps, contracts, and agreements to verify factors such as properties' legal descriptions, ownership, and any restrictions which may be attached to that parcel of land.

In short, they are the research and investigative arm of real estate property sales and acquisition processes.

To be successful as a Title Examiner, you need to be an individual who consistently follow a given routine in carrying out the duties of your role, and have the following skillsets:

• Attention to Detail
• Independence
• Analytical Thinking
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking
• Active Listening

Thus, a Title Examiner needs to be quick and precise at verifying the accuracy and completeness of land-related documents. They are also required to have a working knowledge of real estate procedures and legalities, as well as the ability to summarize the pertinent legal information in a way necessary to prepare real estate closing statements.

• Examine individual titles to determine if restrictions, such as delinquent taxes, will affect titles and limit property use.
• Prepare reports describing any title encumbrances encountered during searching activities, and outlining actions needed to clear titles.
• Copy or summarize recorded documents, such as mortgages, trust deeds, and contracts, that affect property titles.
• Verify accuracy and completeness of land-related documents accepted for registration, preparing rejection notices when documents are not acceptable.
• Prepare lists of all legal instruments applying to a specific piece of land and the buildings on it.
• Prepare real estate documents such as title opinion letters, title commitments or reports.
• Training/mentoring newly hired Title Examiner I employees.
• Assist the Title Department Manager with special projects or senior level tasks as required.
• Other duties as may be on occasion requested or assigned.

• Previous experience as a Title Examiner, Title Abstractor or Title Searcher (or with a job title exhibiting the same responsibilities) is a hard stop requirement for this role
  • Strong preference will be shown to candidates who have previous experience in Kentucky, Ohio and/or West Virginia markets.
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this role
  • Preference will be shown to candidates who possess an advanced degree - especially if that degree is in a law or real estate related field.