A title is generally cleared during which process?

A title is generally cleared during the title search process. The purpose of a title search is to examine public records to verify a property's legal ownership and to identify any claims, liens, or other issues that may affect the property’s title. This meticulous examination ensures that the seller has the right to sell the property and that the buyer will receive a clear and marketable title, free from any encumbrances.

During a title search, various documents are reviewed, including previous deeds, mortgages, liens, and any legal judgments that might be attached to the property. If any issues are discovered during this search, they can often be resolved before the closing of the sale, ensuring that the title is indeed clear at the time of transfer. This makes the title search a critical step not only in real estate transactions but also in the auction process, where bidders need assurance of clear ownership.

The other options provided—such as probate, transfer of deeds, and local government approval—are related to property ownership and transactions but do not specifically address the process of clearing a title. Probate is concerned with the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, while the transfer of deeds typically occurs after the title has been cleared. Local government approval often relates to zoning and land use regulations