Tax sale glossary
Title search
A review of public records to identify property ownership and recorded claims, such as mortgages, liens and easements. Order the search before bidding and ask what records and dates it covers. A search does not itself provide insurance.
Go deeper: Title research before bidding.
Sources
Statutes, court decisions and reference material used on this page. Laws and fees change, so confirm against the current source before you act.
- Title Insurance · California Department of Insurance · Checked
Related terms
- Chain of title
- The sequence of recorded documents showing transfers of an interest in a property. Reviewing that history helps a title professional trace ownership and investigate gaps, reservations or competing claims.
- Recorder of deeds
- The county office that maintains recorded land documents and their indexes. Its name may be recorder, register of deeds or clerk. Use its records to research ownership; recording a document does not establish that a tax-sale title is insurable.
- Encumbrance
- A claim, right or restriction affecting property, such as a lien or an easement. Its effect on a tax-sale purchase depends on the kind of interest and the governing law. Review what survives before setting a bid.
- Title insurance
- Insurance against covered losses from defects in property title. The policy states its coverage, exclusions and exceptions. An owner’s policy protects the insured owner; a lender’s policy protects the lender’s interest.
Tax Sale Atlas publishes educational information about public tax sale processes. This is not legal, financial, or investment advice. Rules, dates, and fees change; confirm with the county office before you bid.
See the term in a real sale
Open a state to watch these concepts play out in an actual sale calendar and rule set.