Today property records can be found almost anywhere – in person, online, and even through the mail. Depending on where you live and what type of property (i.e. residential or commercial) you’re looking for, property records may not be available to the public at all; they might only be available through your county court house, or they may be available online through a property search website.
In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the different ways you can find property records online. We’ll also highlight a few of our favorite property search websites.
What can you learn from property records?
Property records allow you to see the property’s size and location, along with its purchase price and date. The property record may also provide the property taxes paid, assessed value of the property, and even who owns it right now. Some property search websites will actually include this information in their results—sometimes free of charge, sometimes for a small fee. It will be up to you as the consumer to decide if such information is worth paying for (and generally not all property search sites provide this service).
Where can I find property records online?
The easiest way to find property records is through websites that specialize in them; these sites offer home-owners access to public county property data and may even allow you to purchase copies of property deeds.
7 Ways to Find Property Records Online
1. Your Local County Court House
The best place to start your property search is usually at your local county court house. Each county has its own website where you can search for property records. Typically, these websites allow you to search by property address, owner name, or parcel number.
Some counties also allow you to search for property records through their online databases. This is a great option if you don’t know the exact address of the property you’re looking for. Simply enter the property’s approximate location (i.e. city and state) and the website will return a list of matching results.
2. The Recorder’s Office
Another place you can search for property records is through your state’s recorder’s office. This office is responsible for maintaining property records at the state level.
The recorder’s office typically offers two types of property searches: a name search and a document search. A name search will return a list of all property records owned by an individual or business. A document search will return all property records within a certain date range, which can be helpful if you’re looking for a recent sale or deed.
3. Your Local Library
If you’re not comfortable conducting a property search online, or you simply want to do some preliminary research before you invest in a property search website, then your local library is a great place to start. Many libraries offer access to property search websites for free, and they typically have a large selection of them to choose from.
4. Private Property Search Websites
Private property search websites are websites that allow you to purchase copies of property records. These property records can include property deeds, property surveys, property tax records, and other property related documents. Depending on the website you use, a property search may cost anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred dollars.
5. Real Estate Agent or Realtor
The best way to find property information is through a local real estate agent or realtor. Real estate agents have access to private databases of property records that are not available online – they may be able to search these databases for you and provide any relevant information free of charge (depending on your agreement with them) .
6. The Property Appraiser’s Office
The property appraiser’s office is responsible for assessing the value of property in your area. This office can be a great resource for property information, such as recent sales prices and property tax rates. However, not all property appraisers offer property record searches on their website.
7. Professional Title Company
Professional property search websites are property search websites that specialize in property records. These sites have a more comprehensive database of property information, so you can be sure you’re getting the most accurate and up-to-date property records possible.
When it comes to buying or selling a property, it’s always important to do your homework. The best way to start your research is by conducting a property search online. A property search will not only provide you with property records, but it can also give you a basic sense of property values in your area.
Property records are important to property buyers and property sellers. By understanding what property records are and where to find them, you can feel more confident in your property transaction.
Go To House Buyer does not provide legal, tax, or investment advice. This material is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as investment advice and may not be used as a basis for any financial decisions. Please seek advice from a professional in these areas before making a decision.