About Title Sleuth 

Here’s Lookin’ at You, JD…

Title Sleuth, LLC clients consist of a small, carefully curated group of firms who specialize in NC Real Estate Law, including residential and commercial properties. Each of these attorneys understand and embrace the importance of providing a positive, efficient, and professional experience to their clients. We’re all in this together, and with so many moving parts it’s crucial to be on task, on time, and on point.

Prior to working together, we’ll discuss your specific needs and how you’d like everything delivered to your inbox. Some attorneys prefer all files combined into a single pdf document, while some prefer individual documents clearly labeled and organized in folders. We’ll design a customized system to make sure you have all the info you need right at your fingertips. That way, you can focus on providing the best possible experience for your clients.

The “Why” Behind the Work

Years before I started searching titles, a close family member had an awful experience due to a missed detail in a title search performed by a local law firm. The emotional, mental, and financial ramifications were devastating. I think about that every time I perform a search.

Being meticulous and detail-oriented helps prevent long-term negative consequences for neighbors in our community who are looking forward to purchasing their first—or their fifth—house. Even though they rarely meet me (since I work directly with their attorney) it’s still important to put just as much effort and care into a search on their potential new home as I would my own.

In addition to performing searches for hundreds of real estate transactions ranging from single-family homes to huge industrial complexes across North Carolina, my unique blend of skills include more than a decade in consulting and marketing strategy, almost two decades of historical and genealogical research, and a decade producing Family Legacy Films. Part detective, part technology guru, and a whole lot of tenacity make for a proficient, capable, and competent Title Searcher.

Training + Experience

During my initial training, I worked closely with name partners at a law firm whose level of knowledge and impeccable reputation are very highly regarded by their peers in NC Real Property Law. Since then, I’ve worked with clients all over NC. Every search is unique and presents its own challenges, thereby adding to my experience and proficiency.

Training and experience regimen:

  • Study of Webster’s Real Estate Law in North Carolina, focusing on the following sections:
    – Chapter 21: Title Examination Generally
    – Chapter 22: The Chain of Title
    – Chapter 23: Examination of the Sources of Title
    – Chapter 24: Objections to Title
  • Completed NCBA course by Teresa “Teri” Bowling, ACP, NCCP: “Processes and Tips for a Thorough Search.“
  • Study of various risk management guides to title searching
  • Study of NC statutes and resources relating to real property, probate, ROD recording, judgments/liens/lis pendens, taxes/municipal assessments, land surveying, property development, formation of HOA’s, etc.
  • Regularly improve proprietary process to standardize title searches and mitigate the risk
  • Completed the official NC Notary Public Course and passed the exam with a near perfect score. (I took the course to learn about the process and to help me identify proper acknowledgments, though I don’t offer notary services.)

  • Work with attorneys across NC on complex heirs’ property matters. Helping attorneys untangle title is my speciality.
  • Consult on title search best practices and heirs’ property matters for a prestigious NC law school
  • Courses and continuing education through NCBA
  • Monthly review of materials that highlight trends in real estate law and common pitfalls in real estate title searching. (ALTA, NCLTA, NCBA, ABA, Lawyers Mutual, Chicago Title, First American, Fidelity, Source of Title, etc.)
  • Connecting with other Title Searchers in North Carolina to discuss known issues and to share information related to title search best practices
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with experts in associated industries. Contacts include surveying firms, county and state land records departments, and techs who design and manage GIS systems. I also talk with managing counsel at a premier NC title agency, as well as members of counsel at several national title agencies.
  • Talk with clients to review title work and maintain a Q&A wiki
  • Work with NC attorneys who specialize in Real Property Law, and meet with supervising attorneys for direction and guidance. My clients often ask how the heck I find the things I’ve uncovered!

Contact Title Sleuth, LLC
If you’d like to work together, please send a message, and we’ll see if we’re a good fit.

Danielle McClennan
Title Sleuth LLC