Thorough title search services in Wellington and Palm Beach County. We find ownership issues, liens and title problems before closing. Provided by Level 10 Title.
Title and closing services provided by 
A title search is an investigation into a property's history. Before you close on a home in Wellington, someone needs to dig through public records and figure out who really owns the property — and whether anyone else has a claim to it.
Think of it like a background check, but for a piece of real estate. We look at deeds, mortgages, court records, tax records, and more. The goal is simple: find any problems with the property's title before the deal closes and those problems become yours.
At Wellington Title Company & Closing Services, we perform thorough title searches for buyers, sellers, lenders, and real estate professionals throughout the Wellington and Palm Beach County area. Title and closing services are provided by Level 10 Title.
Without a proper title search, you could buy a property with hidden problems — an unpaid contractor lien, a forged deed, a missing heir — and end up paying for issues that started long before you came along. A title search gives everyone involved the information they need to move forward with confidence.
A title search happens after you're under contract but before closing. Once you sign a purchase agreement, that's when we start digging. If we find problems, we work to fix them before closing day. Learn more about the closing process.
Once the title search is complete and any issues are resolved, we issue a title insurance commitment. This commitment says "we'll insure this title if these conditions are met." Your lender and attorney review it before closing.
Our title search team reviews a wide range of public records to find any issues with the property's title. Here's what we check:
We trace the chain of title — who owned the property before, and how it was transferred each time. This helps us verify that every transfer was legal and properly recorded.
We look for any existing mortgages on the property. If a previous owner took out a loan that was never properly released, that's a problem that needs to be fixed before closing.
Contractors, government agencies, and creditors can all place liens on a property for unpaid debts. We check for tax liens, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and any other encumbrances on the title.
Back taxes can create a lien on the property. We verify with Palm Beach County that all property taxes are current and there are no outstanding assessments.
An easement gives someone else the right to use part of your property (like a utility company's right to access a power line). We identify all easements and restrictions that affect the property.
We check for pending lawsuits, divorce proceedings, bankruptcy filings, and probate matters that could affect the property's title. These are often the most complicated issues to resolve.
We review the property's legal description and look for any discrepancies that could indicate boundary disputes or survey errors. This is especially important for Wellington's larger properties and estates.
Simple mistakes — a wrong name, a wrong parcel number, a missing signature — can create big problems in the title chain. We catch these clerical errors and work to correct them.
If the property is in a homeowners association, we check for unpaid HOA fees and any assessment liens. This is common in many Wellington communities.
Here's what happens from the moment you ask us to do a title search through to closing day:
Once we have the property details, we pull all relevant public records from Palm Beach County. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, court records, tax records, and more. We get everything we need to trace the property's history.
We trace every transfer of the property — from the earliest recorded deed to the current owner. This "chain of title" tells us who owned the property, when, and how it changed hands. Any gap or irregularity in the chain is a red flag.
We look for any claims against the property — mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, and restrictions. If anything is found, we document it and determine whether it needs to be resolved before closing.
We put together a comprehensive report of our findings. This includes a summary of the title's status, any issues found, and what needs to be done to clear the title. Your closing attorney and lender will review this report.
If we find problems, we don't just report them — we work with the seller (or their attorney) to resolve them. This might involve paying off liens, correcting recording errors, obtaining releases, or getting court orders. See how this fits into the overall closing process.
These two get confused a lot, but they serve very different purposes in a Wellington real estate transaction:
| Feature | Title Search | Title Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An investigation into the property's history | A financial protection policy |
| When it happens | Before closing | At closing (policy issued after) |
| Purpose | Find problems before closing | Cover you if problems show up later |
| Covers | Liens, mortgages, ownership issues, recording errors | Financial losses from covered title defects |
| Cost | Included in closing costs | One-time premium at closing |
| Duration | One-time review | Owner's: lifetime of ownership; Lender's: life of loan |
The bottom line: The title search tries to find and fix problems before closing. Title insurance covers you if something slips through. You need both for complete protection.
A title search is needed in almost every real estate transaction. Here's who typically requests one:
Whether you're buying your first home or your fifth, a title search protects you from hidden problems. It's part of the closing process and is required before any title insurance policy can be issued.
Getting a title search done before listing your property helps you catch problems early. If there's a lien or an old mortgage that needs to be released, it's better to find out before you have a buyer waiting. See our FSBO services if you're selling without an agent.
Every mortgage lender requires a title search before issuing a loan. They need to know their investment is protected. We work with lenders throughout the Wellington and Palm Beach County area.
Investors who buy multiple properties need fast, reliable title searches they can count on. We help Wellington-area investors close deals quickly and confidently.
Attorneys handling real estate transactions rely on accurate title search results. We provide detailed reports that help attorneys advise their clients and close deals smoothly.
When you refinance your Wellington home, your new lender will require a new title search. We handle refinancing closings regularly.
Wellington has a mix of newer developments, older estates, and large properties with complex histories. Here are the most common problems we find during a title search in the area:
A previous owner took out a mortgage that was never properly released. This is common with refinanced loans or properties that changed hands quickly.
A contractor who wasn't paid for work on the property can file a mechanic's lien. These can appear months or even years after the work was completed.
Unpaid property taxes create a lien on the property. Palm Beach County takes these seriously — and they must be resolved before you can get clear title.
If a previous owner died without a clear will, heirs may surface later claiming an interest in the property. This is more common in Wellington's older properties.
Fake signatures or forged deeds in the property's chain of title. These are rare but serious — and they can be hard to detect without a thorough search.
Neighboring properties may disagree on where one property ends and another begins. Wellington's larger properties and estates make this more common.
If a previous owner is going through a divorce, the ex-spouse may have a claim to the property. We check court records for pending divorce cases.
If a previous owner filed for bankruptcy, the court may need to approve the sale. We check bankruptcy records as part of our standard search.
A utility company, neighbor, or government entity may have rights to use part of your property — rights that weren't disclosed during the sale.
Wellington Title Company & Closing Services provides title search and real estate closing services throughout the greater Wellington area. Title and closing services are provided by Level 10 Title.
Whether you're buying a home, selling a property, refinancing, or investing in Wellington or anywhere in Palm Beach County, we're here to help with title searches, title insurance, and closing services.
A title search is just the first step. Here are the other services we offer in the Wellington area:
For most Wellington-area residential properties, a title search takes 3-5 business days. More complex properties (older estates, large parcels, multiple parcels) may take longer. We'll give you an estimate when you contact us with your property details.
It's common to find issues — that's the whole point of doing the search. Most problems can be resolved before closing. We work with the seller and their attorney to clear the title. If serious problems come up that can't be resolved, you may be able to walk away from the deal. See our title insurance page for what happens if something slips through.
You can look at public records yourself, but a professional title search is much more thorough. Our team knows what to look for, where to find it, and how to interpret the results. More importantly, a professional search allows us to issue a title insurance policy — which you can't get on your own.
In most Florida deals, the title search cost is included in the buyer's closing costs. See our pricing page for more details on who pays for what.
Yes. When you refinance, your new lender will require a new title search. This ensures there are no new liens or issues since your last search. We handle refinancing title searches regularly in the Wellington area.
They're essentially the same thing. A "title search" is the process of pulling and reviewing records. A "title exam" is the analysis of those records. At Wellington Title Company, we do both — and provide a detailed report of our findings. See how this connects to the overall closing process.
Send us the property details and we'll get the process started. We'll explain everything we find in plain English.
