Who does the title search?

[Chris Stromdahl]

I am in the process of working through a short sale transaction.

My real estate agent, who I have come to know pretty well, asked me to call the county and city assessors office to verify whether there are any "special assessments" on the property. When I called the assessors office, they women thought this question was unusual and said that my agent should be doing a title search in order to collect this type of property information.

I called my agent back, explained things and he then said he would do a title search. 

I don't mind at all doing the leg work, but I would like to know if this is a typical request on behalf of the agent. 

What is your experience?