Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers - 23-2093.00

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Sample of reported job titles: Abstracter, Abstractor, Commercial Title Examiner, Searcher, Title Abstractor, Title Agent, Title Department Manager, Title Examiner, Title Officer, Title Searcher

Tasks

• Examine documentation such as mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, plat books, maps, contracts, and agreements to verify factors such as properties' legal descriptions, ownership, or restrictions.
• Examine individual titles to determine if restrictions, such as delinquent taxes, will affect titles and limit property use.
• Prepare reports describing any title encumbrances encountered during searching activities, and outlining actions needed to clear titles.
• Copy or summarize recorded documents, such as mortgages, trust deeds, and contracts, that affect property titles.
• Verify accuracy and completeness of land-related documents accepted for registration, preparing rejection notices when documents are not acceptable.
• Prepare lists of all legal instruments applying to a specific piece of land and the buildings on it.
• Read search requests to ascertain types of title evidence required and to obtain descriptions of properties and names of involved parties.
• Obtain maps or drawings delineating properties from company title plants, county surveyors, or assessors' offices.
• Confer with realtors, lending institution personnel, buyers, sellers, contractors, surveyors, and courthouse personnel to exchange title-related information or to resolve problems.
• Enter into record-keeping systems appropriate data needed to create new title records or update existing ones.
• Retrieve and examine real estate closing files for accuracy and to ensure that information included is recorded and executed according to regulations.
• Prepare real estate closing statements, using knowledge and expertise in real estate procedures.
• Prepare and issue title commitments and title insurance policies based on information compiled from title searches.
• Direct activities of workers who search records and examine titles, assigning, scheduling, and evaluating work, and providing technical guidance as necessary.
• Determine whether land-related documents can be registered under the relevant legislation such as the Land Titles Act.
• Assess fees related to registration of property-related documents.
• Summarize pertinent legal or insurance details, or sections of statutes or case law from reference books so that they can be used in examinations, or as proofs or ready reference.

Technology Skills

• Calendar and scheduling software - Contact management software
• Data base user interface and query software - Data Trace Title IQ; Landtitle USA; Microsoft Access ; Property Insight TitlePoint (see all 5 examples)
• Document management software - Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat ; File management software; GATORS ANYWHERE; PropertyInfo SureClose
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - RamQuest Total Solution
• Internet browser software - Microsoft Internet Explorer; Web browser software
• Map creation software - Geographic information system GIS databases
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software - SoftPro; SoftPro ProForm
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Tools Used

• Desktop calculator - 10-key calculators
• Desktop computers
• Laser fax machine - Laser facsimile machines
• Laser printers - Computer laser printers
• Notebook computers - Laptop computers
• Personal computers
• Photocopiers - Photocopying equipment
• Scanners - Computer data input scanners
• Special purpose telephones - Multiline telephone systems

Knowledge

• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Interests

• Interest code: CER
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
  • Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Work Context

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 100% responded “Extremely important.”
• Electronic Mail - 96% responded “Every day.”
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - 96% responded “Every day.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 85% responded “Every day.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 79% responded “A lot of freedom.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 77% responded “A lot of freedom.”
• Spend Time Sitting - 53% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 62% responded “Every day.”
• Time Pressure - 63% responded “Every day.”
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - 52% responded “Extremely important.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 51% responded “Very important results.”
• Telephone - 68% responded “Every day.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 53% responded “Extremely important.”
• Deal With External Customers - 51% responded “Extremely important.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 42% responded “Very important.”
• Contact With Others - 37% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - 32% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Consequence of Error - 34% responded “Extremely serious.”
• Level of Competition - 54% responded “Moderately competitive.”
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - 33% responded “Limited responsibility.”
• Letters and Memos - 27% responded “Every day.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 64% responded “40 hours.”
• Degree of Automation - 48% responded “Highly automated.”
• Physical Proximity - 61% responded “Slightly close (e.g., shared office).”

Work Styles

• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Work Values

• Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
• Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $22.53 hourly, $46,850 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 69,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Slower than average (2% to 4%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 6,000