In most cases, the title search on a property is conducted
once the sales contract is signed by the buyer and the seller.
In this process,
the title company will look into public records for deeds, county land records,
tax liens, divorce cases, bankruptcy records, and any other judgments against
the seller that could be attached to the property in question.
The point is to
get a clean title meaning that the lender and the new home buyer both agree
that there are no claims on the property that could cause any issues in the
future for the new home buyer.