Legal Review: Title Search & Examination

What We investigate by doing DC Property Lien check:

• Ownership History: Verification of legal ownership chains dating back decades. My having the legal name of the owner, you can search and verify that the ownership is correct and see if there are any other claims going on with the owner.
• Liens & Encumbrances: Detection of unpaid taxes, HOA fees, contractor liens, or IRS levies. When doing a search, you might discover a lis pendens has been recorder, which is indicating that a property is subject to a pending lawsuit. In addition, you might a mechanic’s lien that I show that a subcontractor and supplier did not receive payment for the improvement on the property.
• Mortgages & Deeds: Confirmation of existing loans, easements, or undisclosed co-owners. Reviewing the title search can also determine if the mortgage on the property has been properly paid and that what close out payment is during closing. Also, reviewing the deed you can determined the seller of the property might not have the right to sell the property if there different types of ownership deeds such as Grant deed, quitclaim deed, warranty deed, sheriff’s deed, tax deed, executor deed, an administrative deed, or deed of trust.
• Legal Claims: Identification of lawsuits, boundary disputes, or inheritance conflicts. A lis pendend indicates that a active lawsuit has been filed against the property owner. Discover this before closing would allow all parties to be aware of any type liability prior to closing date.
• DC-Specific Issues: Review of zoning violations, historic preservation restrictions, and condominium bylaws. DC has multiple zoning laws and it is important to determine the zones in which a buyer is looking to purchase, specifically in the DC there is residential, residential flat, residential apartment, mixed-use, production, distribution, & repairs, and neighborhood commercial and downtown.