Why Reviewing Your Title Is One of the Most Important Steps Before Closing

In South Carolina, title issues are one of the most common reasons a closing is delayed or canceled entirely. A thorough title review protects the buyer’s investment, prevents surprises post-closing, and keeps your transaction on schedule.

Why Title Surprises Can Delay or Derail Your Sale

When a property goes under contract, one of the first things your real estate attorney will do is run a title search. This search uncovers the legal history of the property. It verifies that the seller has the right to transfer ownership, and checks for any liens, errors, or legal restrictions.

If there are issues with the title, they will need to be resolved before the sale can move forward. Some of the most common problems include:

  • Old or unreleased mortgages
  • Liens from unpaid taxes or homeowners’ associations
  • Clerical errors in recorded documents
  • Missing probate estates or heirs issues

These issues can slow down your sale or create roadblocks that are expensive and time-consuming to fix. In some cases, the buyer may walk away altogether.

You can read more about what can go wrong when selling a property and how early preparation can help avoid these outcomes.

What Does a Real Estate Attorney Look For?

In South Carolina, it is legally required to use a closing attorney for real estate transactions. One of the most important roles that an attorney plays is reviewing the title and ensuring the property is free and clear for transfer.

At Dial, Grimm & Rupert, our team examines:

  • The full chain of title going back at least 40 years to make sure there is no break in the record of ownership
  • Recorded liens and judgments 
  • Pending litigation involving the parties and property
  • Public records for filing mistakes
  • Department of Revenue and Department of Employment and Workforce liens 

We also coordinate with the title insurance provider to ensure proper coverage is available and assist with resolving any issues that need to be cleared before closing.

How to Fix Title Problems Before You List

If you are preparing to sell your property, there are some title issues you can address before the property hits the market. 

For example, if you know you have an outstanding judgment or lien that was never properly released, you can work on negotiating a payoff or obtaining a satisfaction to get a release of that lien or judgment filed. If your property is family property and you know one of the prior owners passed away without their estate being probated, you can work with an attorney to clear up that issue before you list. Finally, for example, if you know the property had been sold in a tax sale within the last 10 years, you can either disclose that as part of your listing or take steps to quiet the title prior to listing the property; either of these actions will prevent a last-minute halt to the closing process.

For a detailed look at what is involved in the process, this South Carolina real estate closing guide offers helpful context.

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How to Fix Title Problems Before You List
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A Clean Title Creates Confidence and Clarity

Reviewing the property’s title history is not just about checking a box. It is about protecting your sale, protecting the buyer’s investment, keeping timelines intact, and avoiding unnecessary headaches. The title review process gives both sides confidence in the deal.

At Dial, Grimm & Rupert, we handle real estate closings throughout South Carolina with clarity and care. Our real estate closing team helps clients resolve title issues early and move forward with confidence.

If you have questions about your title or want help preparing for closing, contact our team today. We are here to help you move forward the right way

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A Clean Title Creates Confidence and Clarity

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