What is the primary purpose of a title search in real estate transactions?

The primary purpose of a title search in real estate transactions is to verify legal ownership and check for liens or claims against the property. This process involves examining public records to confirm that the seller has the right to transfer ownership, ensuring that there are no outstanding financial obligations or legal issues associated with the property.

By conducting a title search, potential buyers can uncover any discrepancies in property ownership, such as unresolved mortgages, liens from contractors, or other claims that could affect their rights to the property. This due diligence is crucial in protecting buyers from purchasing properties with complications that could lead to financial loss or legal disputes in the future.

The other options, while important in various aspects of real estate, do not pertain directly to the title search's core function. Estimating the future value focuses on market assessments, assessing crime rates involves neighborhood evaluations, and evaluating the need for home repairs pertains more to the physical condition of the property rather than ownership and legal standing.