American Land Title Association (ALTA) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ALTA Practice Questions and Study Guide

An investigative title search refers to a comprehensive examination of a property's title history. This process includes not only reviewing publicly available records, such as deeds, mortgages, and liens, but also often involves interviewing relevant parties and conducting in-depth research to uncover any potential legal complications associated with the property. This thorough approach is essential for identifying issues that could affect the ownership or transfer of the property, such as undisclosed heirs, easements, or unresolved claims.

In contrast, a scan of online records, a cursory review of property listings, and a survey of property boundaries focus on more superficial or technical aspects that do not provide the same depth of insight into the property’s title history. While those methods may yield some useful information, they lack the thoroughness and investigative nature of an investigative title search, which is critical for ensuring that the title is clear and marketable before any transaction occurs.