Ace the West Virginia Mortgage Law 2026 Quiz – Unlock Your Path to Success!

A title search is a critical process in real estate transactions, primarily aimed at determining the legal status of a property title. This involves examining public records to confirm that the title is clear, meaning there are no outstanding claims, disputes, or issues that could affect ownership. The title search also seeks to identify any liens against the property, such as mortgages or judgments, which could impact the new owner's rights.

Identifying liens is crucial because they can affect the transfer of ownership; if a property has existing liens, the new buyer may be responsible for those debts unless they are resolved prior to the sale. Therefore, the title search establishes who holds the ownership rights and any potential claims against the property, ensuring that the new owner can take possession without unexpected legal complications.

In the context of this question, the other choices do not align with the primary goal of a title search. While real estate agent history, building code compliance, and renovation costs are important in various aspects of real estate transactions, they do not pertain to the legal verification of ownership and encumbrances that a title search addresses.