A deed is a legal document, which states the name of the person(s) who has the title to a piece of real estate. Deed records or property records are kept in county recorders and register offices in the country. Looking up for property records means digging for information about a property with a little bit of sleuthing in public records. It helps to search as it can trowel up a lot of data, which could prove valuable in a deal. For example, if one got to know that people who were selling the property were filing for a divorce, one could always bargain as those going for divorce would settle for less. Always start with information about the county to which the property belongs.
- Begin by assessing tax records. Tax offices are responsible for appraisal and valuation of property. When the property is sold or bought, they are the first to know. Most countries keep and maintain their records online. Search for property tax records to find the name of the property owner, tax ID number, the amount of taxes paid and taxes due.
- You can visit the local county record office and search by government property records on-site with the assistance of the person stationed there. If you don’t find a link, then don’t hesitate to call the county for assistance.
- For real estate information, go to service providers and download a free report on property records. It can give information about the history of home ownership, information on mortgage, tax records, and a local demographic profile.
- Federal court records can be checked to find about the background of the property owner and whether the property has ever been in litigation.
- There are numerous websites that provide information related to properties. You can allow search by area and get information on unlisted homes not for sale. Some of these sites are Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia .com, and Vast.com.
- You can call and request a local title company for a free profile of property records. Additionally, ask for copies of property deeds and mortgages. Some of these companies will also do a search for a fee to ascertain if there are judgments or liens filed against the seller.
- A buyer’s agent could provide valuable information about a property. Most agents have in place a subscription to services that gives property search data in different formats.