Hopefully Diane's answer helped. ( Diane is a top gun in many people's opinion on various blog sites BTW).

Steve, the Abstractor isn't going to cut corners. 

I have a request staring at me now (purchase) for $21,500 ... rural, not in a County I normally TARGET.  Our PENNSYLVANIA rate card says that the policy will cost $420.00.

This is where my money will come.  From that, I will have to pay an Abstractor for a full search.... so say..... $130 for example....

That will leave me with $ 290.00 to cover overhead and pull a profit if there is profit at all.

I'll probably do the job.... as there is potential from the buyer (investor type guy), who lives and does biz in the County we reside, not this one he's buying.

The alternative to the above job is to find/refer a more local Title company that may not have to sub the search in this County and may have lower overhead. They make a few bucks and everyone is happy.