The price of a property is negotiated in days; the consequences of a defective title last for decades. A structured title check before paying any advance is the single most valuable step in a purchase.
What a title check covers
The chain of ownership is traced back through registered documents to confirm the seller acquired title lawfully. Encumbrance records are searched for mortgages, charges and pending litigation. Municipal and revenue records are checked to confirm the seller's name is mutated. For constructed property, sanctioned plans and completion approvals are examined.
Physical possession should match the documents. Where the property is inherited, all legal heirs must join the sale or have released their rights. Only when these questions are answered should the agreement to sell be executed and the advance paid.