Here in North-Central Ohio, we don't have anything like DataTrace or DataTree, so I am not familiar with what they have to offer.  I do however strongly agree with the fact that whether you use on-line resources or the physical courthouse records, a local abstractor is extremely important.  Only the local people are going to know the quirks of the lcoation, including the names of some of the notorious "slum lords" (for lack of a better term) who have had problems with their real estate for years, or the subdivisions with inherent problems, etc...

When it comes to the technology available through "thin-title" plants, I don't have any first hand experience, so I really can't say whether they are good or bad.  However, I try to follow the new developments closely as I think they will ultimately have a huge impact on us local abstractors.  I don't think these companies are going to go away, so we need to learn to adapt to the changes that they introduce into the industry.  Maybe they can be an opportunity instead of a threat.  I'm still waiting to see...

Best of luck,
Robert A. Franco
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