When buying real estate, you’ll hear two important terms: Title Search and Title Insurance. They sound similar, but they serve very different and critical purposes. At AcerSearch, we help buyers, attorneys, lenders, and title companies across New Jersey understand these differences and ensure that every deal is backed by data and protection.


What is a Title Search?

A title search is a thorough examination of public property records to confirm ownership and detect any title-related problems before the sale is finalized.

A title search typically uncovers:

  • Current ownership
  • Past ownership transfers (chain of title)
  • Open mortgages and liens
  • Property tax delinquencies
  • Judgments, lawsuits, or bankruptcies
  • Easements or deed restrictions

Why it’s important:

A title search helps verify that the seller has the legal right to sell the property and that there are no outstanding legal or financial claims that could delay or disrupt the closing process.


What is Title Insurance?

A title insurance policy protects buyers and lenders from financial loss if a hidden issue with the property’s title surfaces after closing.
Even with a clean title search, unexpected issues can emerge, such as:

  • Forged or fraudulent documents
  • Undiscovered heirs claiming ownership
  • Recording errors
  • Undetected liens or judgments

Types of Title Insurance:

  • Lender’s Policy: Protects the lender’s investment (usually mandatory).
  • Owner’s Policy: Protects the buyer’s interest (optional but highly recommended).


Why You Need Both

Title search helps you discover problems.
Title insurance helps you recover if something was missed.

Relying on one without the other puts your investment at risk. That’s why most real estate professionals recommend both — and why AcerSearch offers high-accuracy search tools to support clean transactions.


Whether you’re a buyer, a real estate attorney, or a mortgage lender, understanding the difference between title search and title insurance is crucial. One prevents issues, the other protects you from them. Together, they give you peace of mind at closing.

At AcerSearch, we make sure your title searches are done with speed, precision, and insight — so you can close with clarity and confidence.