Wow... I'm  not sure what to say about that.  When I started abstracting more than 20 years ago, we charged $35 for a current owner search.  Then, they were mostly simple - a deed and mortgage.  Now, most of the current owners we get go back before the computer (because it they are online, clients do them in-house).  We usually only get the "current owners" that have some kind of problem.

Even without that... the liability on a current owner can still exceed $100,000.  Why would anyone do a search with that kind of liability for less than $40?  E&O insurance is expensive, so is gas to get to and from the courthouse, and all of the other expenses that come with being "self-employed."  Taxes are brutal, health insurance is ridiculous, and we are expected to extend up to 90-days of credit to our customers. 

Wow... just wow.

Best,
Robert A. Franco
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