TITLE SEARCHES ---- ONLINE / OR ATTORNEY ? --- and title INsuRANCE?

[Nicholas Moffett]

Here is a question regarding TITLE SEARCHES and TITLE INSURANCE

I've been checking out alot of auctions on www.auctions.com

I am wondering, is it safe / smart to do a title search with an online website for 40-60 dollars, versus using a local title company ?

1) Will all the searches show tax liens, mortgage info, etc?
2) what about title insurance ? how is that handled ? how much should it be ?
3) What exactly is the difference between a title search and title insurance ?

4) Can you recommend a title website that you have personally used ?

[Lee I.]

I can only answer 3.  Title search is simply checking the title for things like unpaid liens, mortgages, other owners, other claims, etc.  The title insurance is basically buying a guarantee that the title company didn't miss anything or else they pay if your claim is disputed later.