Definition of "Abstractor"

An abstractor, or, most commonly known as an abstractor of title, is the individual that determines based on thorough research the condensed history needed for an abstract of title. They are in charge of reviewing the ownership of a property or parcel of real estate through the history of that particular property or parcel of real estate. The abstractor ensures an evaluation of all former owners, from the original grant that entrusted the property or land to someone to all the following conveyances, encumbrances, mortgages, deeds, liens, judgments, or other legal papers that affect the property.

What is an Abstractor in Real Estate?

A real estate abstractor provides accurate, summarized, and complete information about the property’s ownership through the abstract of title. The abstract of title is a concrete proof of ownership that can only be contested through another contradicting abstract of title.

The abstractor definition in real estate is the evaluator of the property’s ownership. Just like some assessors assess the property’s value, the abstractor abstracts or summarize the property’s past ownership. With the analysis of an abstractor, the potential home or land buyer can ensure a valid investment as the abstractor can verify the seller’s right to sell the property and if they are the just owner of the property. An abstractor, also known as land abstractors, abstractors of title, title examiners, title extractors, or title searchers, can spare a homebuyer from a property title fiasco.

What does an Abstractor do?

Dealing with a historic property without an existing abstract of title, an abstractor needs to go through the archives of that property and analyze any transaction, land map, mortgage, inheritance that changed the owner of the house, or legal dispute to verify whether the seller of the property has the right to sell that property. The abstractor often works with a tax assessor and local surveyor to check if the land and property are described correctly in the documents. They also check for existing mortgages or other liens that have to be finalized before the property can be sold.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Most people seem to be baffled by the fundamental terminology in real estate: brokers vs. agents vs. employing brokers vs. mortgage brokers, etc. Let us provide some clarity! The primary ...

Public record in an assessment district listing the assessed valuation of all its assessed property. ...

Outline or diagram of a structure or group of structures used for planning purposes. ...

Prepayment to a landlord for refurbishing the unit beyond what would be anticipated from customary wear and tear. It is like a damage deposit. The security deposit may be refunded at the ...

The legal description of property is a legal instrument to determine as best as one can, the physical boundaries and characteristics of a plot of land and the housing built on top of it. ...

Interest in real property that exists when a tenant remains in possession of leased premises or a "hold over" after his right to possession has ended. In a tenancy at sufferance, a tenant ...

A type of property coownership of two or more individuals to whom real property is deeded and who together have an undivided interest in it as a whole. There is only one title to the whole ...

CE Shop has become a widely used and popular term in real estate. But what does it mean? “CE” stands for continuing education, and in the real estate business, it implies a ...

Conifer wood, such as pine and redwood. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions