Posted by Paul Stephen on 10/27/08 4:44pm
Msg #268335

How to become a Real Estate Title Abstractor

I have seen many times posting where Notaries were interested in finding a way to learn how to become a title abstractor. I had recently taken a course located at www.Titlesearch.coursehost.com for CE credits for my real estate license.

I enjoyed it so much I started doing title searches on the side and have done quite well. Most of my business is doing title searches for foreclosures and not resales. The clients that I have that send me witness closings also send me the titles as well. So if you are in a position where you would like to increase your business then title searching may be the way to go.

There is plenty of business out there for all of us. I get $40.00 for a limited title search and I do it on the internet from my home. Generally I do from 4-8 per day and that has been a Godsend for us.
So good luck.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/27/08 4:57pm
Msg #268337

Surprised to hear an attorney only charging $40 for a

limited search....usually more IME

Reply by sue_pa on 10/27/08 5:07pm
Msg #268338

Re: Surprised to hear an attorney only charging $40 for a

that's because it's a limited search, not a 'real' title search.

Anyone who wants to learn to do 'real' title searching or abstracting is not going to learn by an online course.

Reply by sue_pa on 10/27/08 5:08pm
Msg #268339

forgot

being an attorney has nothing to do with doing these

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/27/08 5:09pm
Msg #268340

True, Sue...but it has EVERYTHING to do

with GA being an attorney-only state - and he does some searches along with the witness signings.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/27/08 5:10pm
Msg #268341

Re: forgot...my turn to forget..:)

"The clients that I have that send me witness closings also send me the titles as well"

Reply by Pat/IL on 10/27/08 8:00pm
Msg #268360

Well, at least it's a GA based company

I have met many people in the title business over the past 20 years. Many with impressive knowledge - the kind that makes you realize how little you actually know. But I have never met anyone who claimed to be an expert on the laws of all 50 states, much less anyone who claimed to be familiar with the standards and practices in the various smaller regions. And to be able to have found a way to pack it all into a seven-hour session? That is absolutely mindblowing.

I have doubts as to whether a course taught on in seven hours, or several weeks for that matter, can teach all that is needed to start your own abstract business - even if you are in the same state. The website you refer to seems to be claiming, though, that they can teach you in that amount of time to conduct a full title search anywhere. I can only suspect there is some rascalism at work with these guys.

I am surprised that you have chosen to cut your teeth on foreclosure searches - or even that anyone is requesting a limited search in relation to a foreclosure. This is not an area where cutting corners is such a good idea. Best of luck to you in your new endeaver. Keep the E&O policy paid up.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/27/08 8:20pm
Msg #268364

Re: Well, at least it's a GA based company

I would imagine that if he's doing title searches, limited though they may be, he'd have sufficient professional liability coverage to insure against any mistakes he makes - after all, a company is relying on his search to issue title insurance. Jeez, imagine the exposure...wow