Job Profile:
Title Examiner, Abstractor and Searcher

The Job

• Title examiners search public records and examine titles to determine a property title's legal condition.

  In these positions, people speak to realtors, banks, homebuyers and sellers, and contractors while researching.

  They copy or summarize recorded documents affecting title to property, such as mortgages, trust deeds and contracts. They may also prepare and issue policy that guarantees the title's legality.
• Abstractors summarize pertinent legal or insurance details, sections of statutes or case law from reference books for examination, proof or ready reference. They also search out titles to determine if the title deed is correct.
• Searchers investigate real estate records, examine titles or summarize pertinent legal or insurance details for a variety of purposes. They may also compile lists of mortgages, contracts and other title-related documents by searching public and private records on behalf of law firms, real estate agencies or

  Most employers prefer to hire people with experience in related jobs, like real estate clerks or legal secretaries.

  title insurance companies.

Skills

• Title examiners and abstractors must have good research and investigation skills and understand legal terms. They must be aware of new legal developments that affect their duties.
• These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage or train others to accomplish goals.

Education

• An associate's degree (two years of post-high school study) or high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum formal education required.
• Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job

  Title examiners, abstractors and searchers held about 30,000 jobs in 1998.

  experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Outlook

• Employment is expected to decline by 1 percent or more through 2008.

Related Careers

• Law clerks, title searchers, insurance claims clerks, property and casualty insurance claims examiners, paralegals and legal assistants, loan interviewers and clerks require similar skills and interests.

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Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2000-01 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor; O*NET OnLine, US Department of Labor