Products, Services & Pricing:
Root of Title Abstracts (New Abstracts)
Definition: A Root of Title Abstract is ordered when the original abstract has been lost or destroyed, a new parcel is established, or a parcel is being divided and/or sold. A new abstract covers all recorded information pertaining to a specifically described piece of real estate from the 40-Year Marketable Root of Title to the present certification date. A new abstract will also include the following information: Original U.S. Government Entry, unless shown by U.S. Government Patent; Plats and Surveys: Easements; Party Wall and other boundary line agreements; Unexpired Recorded Leases. A new abstract may also include court case information pertaining to the property’s chain of title, such as: Probates/Estates; Divorces; Foreclosures; and any Unsatisfied Judgments resulting from such cases. All applicable Tax information is also included in a new abstract.
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
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 $1,300. In rare cases, we may request additional charges if the preparation is extremely extensive or complex. Prior authorization is always requested prior to altering this charge. We do provide a $75 discount if you provide us with a reference abstract. A reference abstract is an abstract that has been prepared previously and includes some or all of the land for the new Root of Title abstract.
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Preliminary Abstract Continuation
Definition: A Preliminary Abstract Continuation is ordered when an existing property is being sold; parceled off; divided or refinanced. A First (1st) Continuation will include all information pertaining to the property already described in the existing abstract from the last certification on the abstract to the present date.
When to Order: A Preliminary Continuation is often required in the following situations:
When the property is being sold
When the current owner wants to refinance an existing mortgage or take out a new mortgage
When the property must go through subdivision proceedings
Time to Prepare: Preparation of a Preliminary Continuation can take up to two weeks to complete if the continuation is especially complex and there is a high volume of new documents to show in the abstract. Many Preliminary Continuations require only a few days to complete.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Preliminary Continuation is $485. In rare cases, we may request additional charges if the preparation is extremely extensive or complex. Prior authorization is always requested prior to altering this charge.
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Final Abstract Continuation
Definition: A Final Continuation is ordered after the property transaction is completed and all necessary documents have been filed of record in the county. After a sale is complete and all legal documents (Warranty Deeds; Probate Transfers; Quit Claim Deeds etc.) have been filed of record, or after a refinance when all Mortgages and Releases have been filed. A Final Continuation is done to ensure that all legal documents and transfers required have taken place and filed of record to ensure clear title after transfer or refinance.
Time to Prepare: Preparation of a Final Continuation can take up to several months to complete, depending on several variables. Once all documents are filed of record, including Release and Satisfaction of Mortgages, we strive to deliver Final Continuations within 90 days of closing.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Final Continuation is typically $175. In rare cases, we may request additional charges if the preparation is extremely extensive or complex. Prior authorization is always requested prior to altering this charge.
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Form 900 (ITG Division)
Definition: A Form 900 is ordered when a lender chooses to, or is required to, acquire additional security through the Iowa Finance Authority’s Iowa Title Guaranty Program. The Iowa Title Guaranty (ITG) Program requires the use of only their specific forms. Only service providers registered and certified by the ITG Program may participate in the ITG Form 900 process and must adhere to the Iowa Finance Authority’s Iowa Title Guaranty Program requirements. The Form 900 is intended to only be used in residential refinance transactions. The Form 900 is not as comprehensive as a preliminary abstract continuation. The Form 900 will not disclose specific Plats, Declarations, Easements, Restrictions, Covenants, Affidavits or other instruments impacting title, nor will the Form 900 alert the examining attorney to spelling errors, missing instruments, improper parties or other discrepancies that may appear in the chain of title.*Refer to the Iowa Title Guaranty Form 900/901 Manual for eligibility requirements and disqualification criteria.
Time to Prepare: Preparation of a Form 900 can take several days to complete, depending on several variables. We strive to deliver within 24-48 hours of ordering.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Form 900 is typically $200.00. The cost may be more if a 24-month chain of title is required, if the Form 900 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. Prior authorization is always requested prior to altering this charge.
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Form 901 (ITG Division)
Definition: A Form 901 is the counterpart to the Form and may not be obtained without ordering a Form 900, and like the Form 900 it is an Iowa Title Guaranty Report and must adhere to the Iowa Finance Authority’s Iowa Title Guaranty Program requirements. *Refer to the Iowa Title Guaranty Form 900/901 Manual for eligibility requirements and disqualification criteria.
Time to Prepare: Preparation of a Form 900 can take several days to complete, depending on several variables. We strive to deliver within 24-48 hours of ordering.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Form 901 is included in the amount billed for the Form 900 & typically does not incur any additional billing.
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Report of Title/Title Certificate
Definition: Report of Title is ordered when a property is being refinanced and the lender needs a report of liens upon the current owner and the real estate described. This report will include: the recorded document showing when the current owners took possession of the property; all Mortgages and/or Liens currently open against the property; all Real Estate Contracts; all Unsatisfied Judgments against the owners of the property in the past ten (10) years; any property settlements or support payments currently owed by the owner in past court cases and not fully satisfied that, if unpaid, could become a lien against the property.
When to Order: A Title Report is often ordered in the following situations:
When the current owner wants to refinance an existing mortgage or take out a new mortgage
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 a Report of Title can take several days to complete, depending on several variables. We strive to deliver within 24-48 hours of ordering.
Cost: The cost of preparing a residential Title Report is typically $200.00. The cost may be 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. Prior authorization is always requested prior to altering this charge.
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Pre-closing Search Certificate
Definition: A Pre-closing Search is a last-minute report ordered the day of or the day before closing or refinancing to recheck the records to make sure no additional information has been recorded in relation to the described property. All searches are completed using the ITG PRE-CLOSING SEARCH CERTIFICATION unless a separate form has been provided.
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 at least a 24 hour advance notice.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Pre-closing Search Certificate is $75.
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Post-closing Search Certificate
Definition: A Post Closing Search is ordered after the transaction is completed. The search begins from the date of the last continuation of the abstract, to the date of the last recorded document. The search includes applicable Releases, Deeds, and Mortgages. All searches are completed using the ITG POST-CLOSING SEARCH CERTIFICATION unless a separate form has been provided.
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 typically requires less than 2 hours to complete.
Cost: The cost of preparing a Post-closing Search Certificate is $100.
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Personal Lien Searches
Definition: A Personal Lien Search is ordered when a lender or individual needs a report on a specific name (i.e., the proposed buyer of a property or person requesting credit or financing) and does not include any described property. This report includes judgments only against the name or names requested that could attach to real estate.
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 $75.
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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!