Products & Services
We offer the following products & services:
Root of Title Abstracts (New Abstracts)
Definition: A Root of Title Abstract (New Abstract) is a compilation of all the documents filed of public record for at least the last 40 years that affect the chain of title to a particular parcel of land. The documents are not shown in their entirety. Instead, only the most important information from a particular document is shown in the abstract. The "abstracted" or abbreviated showings of the information help an examining attorney more quickly and easily review the information when writing a Title Opinion. It is very important to understand that the documents shown in an abstract are based on the legal description, not the property address and not simply based on a search of the titleholders by name. To search property based on the legal description, we have developed a computerized index of all the documents filed in the Recorder's office based on the legal description. This database is often referred to as a "Title Plant" or "Tract Index" and is a very effective and efficient way to find all of the documents that pertain to a given parcel of land. This helps to insure that the Root of Title Abstract we prepare for you is complete and accurate. In addition to showing the documents that affect chain of title, our Root of Title Abstracts include all Plats and Surveys, easements, party wall and other boundary line agreements, unexpired recorded leases, and patents and/or original entries that have been filed since the property was first conveyed by the government (often dating back to the 1850’s). We also show any unreleased liens or judgments that have been filed of public record against the titleholders as well as the property tax status. Our Root of Title Abstracts are prepared in accordance with the Forty Year Marketable Record Title Act Iowa Code Section 614.36 and Iowa Land Title Standard 11.7 and the Abstracting Standards of the Iowa Land Title Association.
When to Order: A Root of Title Abstract is often required in the following situations:
when an abstract has been lost
when an abstract has not been prepared previously but is now required by a lender prior to filing a mortgage or by a buyer prior to purchase
when a new parcel of land has been platted, including new subdivisions
It's worth noting that you may not have an abstract to your property. This is often the case if you acquired the land by Quit Claim Deed or if the property is not especially valuable.
Time to Prepare: Preparation of a new Root of Title Abstract can be a very complex process and therefore it can take up to three weeks to complete. However, most new Root of Title Abstracts require less than two weeks to complete.
Cost: The cost of preparing a new Root of Title Abstract is highly variable but depends on the number of documents that have to be shown in the abstract. Most new residential Root of Title Abstracts cost between $1,200 and $2,000. Some are less but some are significantly more.
Abstract Continuations (Preliminary & Final)
Definition: A Preliminary Continuation of an abstract is simply the showing of all the documents filed of public record affecting the chain of title to a given parcel of land since the abstract was last continued. This typically is much less involved than a new Root of Title Abstract. Typical showings include Deeds, Mortgages and Easements. In addition, we show any unreleased liens or judgments as well as the property tax status. Similarly, a Final Continuation is a showing of all the documents filed of public record affecting the chain of title to a given parcel of land since the Preliminary Continuation was done. This is typically done at the time of filing of a new Deed and/or Mortgage. The time between the Preliminary and Final Continuation is typically a few months or less.
When to Order: A Preliminary Continuation is often required in the following situations:
when the current owner wants to refinance an existing mortgage
when the current owner wants to take out a new mortgage
when the property is being sold
A Final Continuation is often required when a new Deed and/or Mortgage have been filed.
Time to Prepare: Preparation of a Preliminary Continuation can take up to two weeks to complete if the continuation is especially complex and there are lots of new documents to show in the abstract. However, most Preliminary Continuations require only a few days to complete. Preparation of a Final Continuation requires a few days at most. However, it is not uncommon for lenders to require that we show the release of a prior mortgage. Release of the prior mortgage often takes many weeks, and sometimes many months.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Preliminary Continuation is highly variable but depends on the number of documents that have to be shown in the abstract and the assessed value of the property. Most Preliminary residential Continuations cost between $500 and $700. Some are less but some are significantly more. Final Continuations typically cost $175.
Title Reports
Definition: A Title Report is a stand-alone report that simply summarizes the documents filed of public record that affect the chain of title to a particular parcel of land since the current titleholder took title. Title Reports include any unreleased judgments or liens against the current titleholders. Unlike Abstracts, Title Reports do not include a report of easements. The most typical documents reported in a Title Report are Deeds and unreleased Mortgages.
When to Order: A Title Report is often ordered in the following situations:
when the current owner wants to refinance an existing mortgage
when the current owner wants to take out a new mortgage
for estate planning purposes (e.g. when it is unknown exactly what property is owned and a new legal description is required)
when a property is to be sold at Tax Sale and a prospective buyer wants to know about any liens on the property
Time to Prepare: Preparation of most Title Reports requires less than three days to complete.
Cost: The cost of preparing a residential Title Report is typically $200.00. The cost can be significantly more if a 24-month chain of title is required, if the Title Report requires an extended search period (e.g. if the land was acquired through probate a long time ago), or if many judgments or liens have to be shown. The cost of preparing a commercial Title Report is typically $350.00.
Pre-closing Search Certificates
Definition: A Pre-closing Search Certificate is a one page document that certifies to any new documents, judgments or liens filed of public record that affect title to a particular parcel of land since the property was last searched. Pre-closing Search Certificates can be used in conjunction with both Preliminary Continuations or Title Reports. In most situations, ideally, there are no new showings to report.
When to Order: A Pre-closing Search Certificate is often ordered in the following situations:
when a Preliminary Continuation has been completed recently (within the last few weeks or months) and a lender wants an updated search to know if any new intervening judgments or liens or other documents have been filed; this provides the information required to proceed to closing
when a Title Report has been completed recently (within the last few weeks or months) and a lender wants an updated search to know if any new intervening judgments or liens or other documents have been filed; this provides the information required to proceed to closing
Time to Prepare: Preparation of most Pre-closing Search Certificates requires less than 2 hours to complete. However, we would appreciate a 24 hour advance notice.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Pre-closing Search Certificate is $75.
Post-closing Search Certificates
Definition: A Post-closing Search Certificate is a one page document that certifies to any new documents, judgments or liens filed of public record that affect title to a particular parcel of land since the property was last searched. Post-closing Search Certificates can be used in conjunction with Preliminary Continuations, Title Reports, and Pre-closing Search Certificates. In most situations, the Post-closing Search Certificate includes a showing of a new Deed and/or Mortgage that have been filed.
When to Order: A Post-closing Search Certificate is often ordered in the following situations:
When a Preliminary Continuation was completed recently (with the last few weeks or months), the closing is complete, and we have filed a new Deed and/or Mortgage. The Post-closing Search Certificate provides a quick confirmation that the documents were filed without any intervening judgments, liens or other documents
When a Title Report was completed recently (with the last few weeks or months), the closing is complete, and we have filed a new Deed and/or Mortgage. The Post-closing Search Certificate (sometimes called an "Updated Title Report" in this situation) provides a quick confirmation that the documents were filed without any intervening judgments, liens or other documents
Time to Prepare: Preparation of most Post-closing Search Certificates requires less than 2 hours to complete.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Post-closing Search Certificate is $75.
Personal Lien Searches
Definition: A Personal Lien Search is a one page document (typically) that certifies to any unreleased judgments or liens filed of public record against a particular individual. We search the records of the Recorder's Office and the Clerk's Office for judgments indexed by name against the current titleholder or other individuals as requested. The most common showings are federal tax liens and small claims judgments. Personal Lien Searches are often used in conjunction with Preliminary Continuations as a way to search new Buyers when property is being purchased.
When to Order: A Personal Lien Search is often ordered when a Preliminary Continuation has been completed as part of a purchase transaction and the lender now requires a search of the buyers for any existing liens that might attach to the property once the new buyers take title
Time to Prepare: Preparation of most Personal Lien Searches requires less than 24 hours to complete.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Personal Lien Search is $100.
Mechanic's Lien Searches
Definition: A Mechanic's Lien Search is a one page document that certifies to any unreleased Mechanic's liens filed of public record against a particular parcel of land. We search the records of the Clerk's Office for judgments indexed by legal description. The most common Mechanic's Liens are those filed by vendors (e.g. a carpenter, electrician or plumber) who have completed work but have not been paid.
When to Order: A Mechanic's Lien Search is often ordered when a new home is being constructed or a home renovation project has been undertaken. The search will help insure that the vendors who have completed work within the last 60 days have been paid.
Time to Prepare: Preparation of most Mechanic's Lien Searches requires less than 24 hours to complete.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Mechanic's Lien Search is $50.
Custom Orders
We understand that you may have specific requirements that are not completely satisfied by our standard products and services. We often work with clients in those situations on a custom order basis. We have expertise in a variety of areas including document retrieval and custom searches based on the legal description or property address. Please call us to find out what we can do to help you!
Form 900/901
The Form 900 Title Report is very similar to our standard written Title Reports but is designed to conform to the formatting and reporting requirements of the Title Guaranty Division of the Iowa Finance Authority. The Form 901 is very similar to our standard Post-Closing Search Certificate but, again, is designed to conform to the formatting and reporting requirements of the Title Guaranty Division.