Final answer:
To establish a clear title on a property, all deeds in the chain must be examined, not just the most recent or the original one. The entire history of legal ownership must be verified to ensure there are no outstanding legal issues or burdens on the property.
Step-by-step explanation:
In researching a chain of title on a piece of property being sold, Option 2 is the correct answer: All deeds in the chain must be examined to establish a clear title.
The investigation of the chain of title is essential as it allows for the verification of the legal ownership of the property over time.
It isn't enough to look solely at the most recent deed or only the original deed, as this would neglect potential issues such as liens, easements, or encumbrances that could have arisen at any point in the property's history.
In fact, a clear title is free from any legal questions or burdens that might affect ownership, and this status can only be confidently claimed after a thorough review of the full chain of title.
Furthermore, while the Title 150 excerpt is a historical example relating to legacy property rules, the principles behind establishing a clear title remain relevant.
Historical records, including deeds, are crucial for this process. This information not only serves to establish the legal ownership of the land but also ensures the exact dimensions and acreage of the property are known and properly transferred.