Re: can I do my own title search? - Posted by Frank Chin
Posted by Frank Chin on February 05, 2002 at 09:41:15:
Hi Jim:
No one knows how your local courthouse organize the records. Its like you asking me if I know where you can find “War and Peace” in your local library. The answer is, its on a bookshelf somewhere in the place, and you have to look it up an index card, or ask the librarian.
Same process in the local courthouse.
Here in New York City where I live, everything is filed but block and lot number. Because I need building violation, C/O info, I go to the buildings department first to get a printout, which they’ll give me, and it’ll have the block and lot information on it.
Then, I proceeed to the record room of the courthouse, another part of town. There is a computer terminal where you get a printout of the property listng the records available the “Reel#” and “index#” on each reel the document is on. Yes, if there’s a lien from 10 years ago, it’ll be there.
Then I have to go to the shelf where the reel is located. Now, just like in a video store, the reel you’re looking for may be out because someone else is looking at it at the moment. So I wait a bit, or walk around the block if its a nice day.
I can’t say if your courthouse is organized this way. So if its your first time, ask someone there. Usually, I run into folks from title companies who goes there, and they can be very helpful.
To alleviate long lines there, people are allowed to do printouts of, as I recall, five properties at a time. If the guy waiting in line behind you is a title company person, they’ll usually sit down at the terminal to get the printout for you to get you out of the way.
Then I proceed to the micro-fiche vewing area. Reading the dcouments are free, but I have to put in coins to print it out, or buy an electronic tag to make many copies.
If you need a blow by blow, lead you by the hand example, this is what I have to do. But I don’t know how your courthouse index its records, or whether it is on microfiche or not.
Frank Chin