{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/title-search","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/title-search","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"title-search","term":"Title search","group":"Doing the deal","definition":"This is a check of public records to confirm legal ownership of real estate and identify any liens or encumbrances. It ensures you're buying clear title to any property included in the deal.","what_it_means":"If your acquisition includes real estate, a title search is mandatory. It reveals if the seller truly owns the property and if there are any existing mortgages, judgments, or other liens that need to be cleared before closing. Your attorney will review the title commitment to ensure you receive a clean title.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/title-search","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"lien","term":"Lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien"},{"slug":"security-instrument","term":"Security instrument","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/security-instrument"},{"slug":"mortgage","term":"Mortgage","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/mortgage"},{"slug":"lien-search","term":"Lien Search","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien-search"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"When is a lender required to conduct an environmental records search for real estate collateral?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-a-lender-required-to-conduct-an-environmental-records-search-for-real-estate-colla"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Title search","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/title-search","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}