How a Digs Report Streamlines the Title Process
Title issues are among the most common — and most preventable — reasons real estate transactions stall or collapse. Liens, encumbrances, ownership disputes, and recording errors can surface weeks into escrow, forcing delays that cost everyone time and money. A Digs Report addresses this by surfacing title data at the very start of the selling process.
What the title process actually involves
When a buyer makes an offer, a title company conducts a title search — a review of public records to confirm the seller has clear, marketable ownership and that no undisclosed claims exist against the property. Any cloud on title must be resolved before closing. The problem: most sellers don't know what's in their title history until a buyer is already under contract.
How a Digs Report surfaces title data early
The Digs Report includes a property data layer that flags known liens, open permits, easements, and ownership chain irregularities — before you list. This gives you and your agent a head start on resolving issues that would otherwise emerge during the buyer's due diligence period.
- Unpaid contractor liens from prior renovations — often forgotten by sellers
- Open building permits that were never closed out
- HOA assessment liens or delinquency flags
- Boundary or easement discrepancies that affect usable land
- Estate or probate complications from prior ownership transfers
The downstream benefits for closing timelines
When title issues are resolved pre-listing, the formal title search during escrow becomes a confirmation rather than a discovery process. Title companies can issue commitments faster, lenders face fewer hold-ups, and closing timelines compress. Sellers who use a Digs Report consistently report smoother escrow periods with fewer last-minute surprises.
Working with your title company and agent
Share your Digs Report with your listing agent and, if possible, your preferred title company before going to market. They can advise on which items require formal resolution versus simple documentation. Proactive title hygiene is one of the highest-leverage steps a seller can take — and one of the least commonly done.