Title search delay (Merrick, Nassau, Ovid: refinance, how much, attorney)

[askingaboutlongisland]

Does anyone know how long title searches are taking these days? And is there anything that can be done to speed them up?

We’re purchasing a house in Merrick and requested a title search a month ago. Our attorney has been checking in and is telling us that everything has slowed down in Nassau because of COVID. Everything else is ready to go on our end, so we’re just wondering how much longer we can realistically expect to wait. Anyone with recent experience?

[Uggggs]

We refinanced in April, so during Covid but it did not take anywhere near 1 month. Most of the information is online and then checking for possible liens or open permits on the house. I would say it took probably a couple weeks max.

If there is a hold, there should be a specific item they are waiting to hear back about. Should ask for a detailed answer instead of everything is slow right now.

[ThePowerBroker]

If the house you are buying was sold DURING OR AFTER 1992, then the title search can be done online.

If the house you are buying was last sold PRIOR to 1992, then the title search must be completed in person at the County Clerk's Office.

You can see when it was last sold on My Nassau Property. If it is an estate/family transfer, then that does not count for title search purposes.

There likely are delays getting an appointment at the Clerk's Office due to social distancing/crowding limits.

[askingaboutlongisland]

I imagine it’s the open permit check that’s taking a while (I assume that needs to be done in person, right?)

Thanks for your replies - we’ll try to get more information about what specifically is holding things up.

[awaken470]

im having a similar issue - title search was completed, but attorney is saying we are still waiting for the CO search, apparently the town is running on a skeleton schedule due to covid.

i thought the CO search is apart of the title report/search? confused

[karenliny]

The CO search is part of what are called "Departmentals" and do not always come in at the same time as the "title" search which is a search of the title related documents at the County. Both are collectively called the title report. Departmentals are usually things like a search of town or city records like COs, open building permits, violations, and Street Searches, which reflects who is responsible for maintaining the street that a property fronts on. So the county search could be done but the town or city search not yet completed.