A title search is an examination of public land records to confirm who legally owns a property and to uncover anything that could interfere with a clean sale, such as liens, judgments, unpaid taxes or a break in the chain of ownership. Title companies run one before issuing title insurance, and a problem it turns up is called a cloud on title.
Why it matters
A title search is what turns up problems on your property you may not know exist, before a buyer's closing depends on them.
General information, not legal or tax advice.