Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-16
SEARCH Of TITLE
HELD IMPORTANT
Becker Tells of Work NeceS.
sary to Guarantee Pur-
chase of Property.

Title examinations have become an
important factor in connection with the
transfer and ownership of land, accord
ing to James j. Becker. president Of
the Real Estate g. Columbia Title In
surance Co., who discussed the subject
of titles before the real estate forum
at the Y. M. c. A. this week.
During the early history of the Ma
ton the purchase of real estate was
handled in rather simple manner, Mr..
Becker pointed out. The acceptance OF
a deed was all that usually tranSpired
for the reason that in most cases the
purchaser personally knew the owner
and knew that he had occupied the real
estate and was therefore recognized as
the bona flde owner.
Records Posted Daily.
AS population increased and other
general economic factors developed land
values increased and evidences of title
were multiplied. AS a result purchasers
required a somewhat more formal
assurance in respect to the security ot
the title to the land they purchased
This condition was met by attorneys IN
the ordinary practice OF law Tor
considerable number of years, but
eventually became so involved that 1t
proved IlUSb JOO CLAlAlOSloOAlAS oAAN SAS@~
companies came into existence.
The title company developed what is
commonly called plant, in which they
maintain complete records showing the
history of the title to every piece OF
Nroperty located in the District OF Co
l&n1bia. These records are posted daily
and embrace a transcript of deeds OF
eli types as we'll as all court procedures
thai directly affect legal ownership. :,
An examination of title as conducted
by a title company simply determines
the status of the owners title at
given time. 1t is a verihcation OF the
abstract or chain of instruments
through which titles pass from one
owner to another and through which
mortgages and other liens are recorded
against the property involved. SpeclaI
items. such as equity actions, PROBATE
court causes, taxes, ETC., are also e%-
am.ned. ,
The construction of deeds and mort
cages is vital in considering the queSIlon
of title to land and thorough knowl-
edge of the law in this connectlon is
necessary, it was pointed out by Becker;
to insure accurate compliance Win az
legal requirements When pTeparIils u SGo,,
documents, AS a general proposition
of law. the transfer and acquisition OF
title to real estate is governed by tne
law prevailing in the place where tne
real estate is situated.
II. the preparation OF DEEDS, Becker
stated. 1t is essential to know that the
grantor possesses the right to sell and
convey and that the phraseology OF the
deed be such as would actually convey
to the grantee. Accurate descriptions
of the property conveyed must pe
Incorporated in the deed and all
reouirements as to signatures and
Acknowledgements must be complied
with. Sometimes an apparent sngn,C
oversight in failing to comply WIN
some of the technical requirements has
a rather serious effect on the title, which
NAV subsequently involve considerable
time and expense to clear up, he said. .,
The subject, Selling Heai ESTATE s"1.,,
will be discussed before the forum
tuesday evening by John A. Petty,
executive secretary of the washington
Real Estate Board.