Geographic Coverage
As Texas’s real estate market accelerates, DataTrace is expanding its title plant network and enhancing tax certificate services to support faster, more accurate transactions.
When it comes to title search and tax certificates, data depth and local-market expertise can make all the difference, saving time and money for more efficient operations. In this three-part blog series, we explore how DataTrace is expanding its geographic title plants across the country with particular emphasis on high-activity states. In the first blog, we looked at Florida, and in this second installment, we take a look at what’s happening in Texas, including an expanded title plant network and enhanced tax certificate services from DataTrace.
You only have to read the news to see that Texas is experiencing rapid population growth and robust residential construction. According to Official Census Bureau data, 611,942 people moved into the state in 2023, making Texas the second-fastest growing state behind Florida. Additionally, as of October 2024, Texas recorded 136,374 single-family building permits, making it the top state for new home construction. As demand for real estate transactions rises, so does the need for reliable, comprehensive property data and efficient title search.
Texas Title Plant Coverage
DataTrace currently operates 126 title plants in Texas. DataTrace’s geographically indexed title plants are searchable using multiple property parameters, including legal descriptions, property addresses and assessor parcel numbers. These plants provide critical historical property data with a large number of them containing records going back to at least 1979, the depth that Texas requires to issue a title policy, and some going as far back as the 1800s. Newer title plants—while shallower in data depth—are designed to enhance access to property records in growing markets. This ensures that title professionals can conduct faster, more efficient searches while maintaining compliance with Texas-specific title regulations.
Understanding Texas’s Unique Title Search Process
Texas is unique among other states with regard to title search processes due to its unique land classification system. Instead of the common sectional township range system, Texas uses two primary property types:
- Subdivided Properties: These are searched based on lot, block and plat ID, common in urban developments and residential communities.
- Abstracts: These are large tracts of unplatted land assigned by the state in the 1800s, and searches are conducted by grantor/grantee within the abstract number—not common in other states with the exception of the "rancho" system used in California.
This unique title search framework underscores the importance of local expertise. In conjunction with DataTrace’s expanded title plants, this ensures title professionals can efficiently navigate Texas’s nuanced property records, improving transaction speed and accuracy.
Enhancing Texas Tax Certificates
DataTrace is enhancing its tax certificate services across Texas’s 254 counties. Previously, tax searches included one year of property value data, and that has been expanded to include two years of data. The tax certificate format has been redesigned to feature a cleaner, more modern layout. This improvement enhances readability and streamlines the presentation of information, reducing clutter and making navigation easier. These enhancements will make tax certificates simpler to review and interpret, even for junior associates with less experience. As a result, this will help reduce errors and improve transaction efficiency.
Currently, 69 of the 254 Texas counties—which covers approximately 89% of the state’s population—are powered by our innovative artificial intelligence and automation technology which provides users with faster, more accurate data. For the remaining counties, DataTrace employs a team of regional experts that manually gathers tax data from county offices, HOAs, attorneys and district clerks.
To meet every client’s needs, DataTrace offers multiple ways to order tax certificates and the ability to white label documents with customized client logos. Customers can access data through the DataTrace application for direct orders; through integration partners such as Resware, SoftPro, RamQuest and Qualia, allowing for seamless ordering from within their platforms; and through XML data feeds for larger clients who prefer integrating tax data directly into their internal systems.
HOA Data Integration and Market Differentiation
DataTrace is unique because it offers title plants, tax certificates and automated HOA data in Texas. Customers can subscribe to HOA data alongside their title and tax information, streamlining the research process in a single search. This comprehensive approach enhances workflow efficiency, making DataTrace a one-stop solution for property data needs.
DataTrace is strengthening its already dominant role as a market leader in Texas property data.
As the state's population and housing market grow, DataTrace remains committed to delivering innovative, automated solutions that enhance title searches, improve tax data accessibility and simplify real estate transactions statewide.
For more information on Texas title and taxes, visit our state-specific page or contact us.
