Learn 10 ways to find landownership information, including both free and paid methods.
There are plenty of reasons you might want to find out who owns a property. It may be an eye-catching piece of land perfect for hunting, a fixer-upper you dream of renovating, or a sound financial investment in a developing area. The problem is, places like these aren’t always listed for sale or even inhabited. Thankfully, it’s quite easy to find a property’s owner if you know where to look.
The most common way to find a property’s owner is by using public records, but that doesn’t have to be your approach. Other, free methods can be just as effective without committing cash to the endeavor. Finally, you can use online resources — such as Acres — to find property ownership details and more.
Your local assessor’s office is typically the first place you should start when seeking comprehensive property ownership information. Your assessor can tell you who owns a property and how much they pay in property taxes each year, which could be useful if you decide to purchase. Retrieving this information from the assessor isn’t free, however, and you can typically expect to pay for these records.
The next place to check for public records is your county clerk or recorder’s office. Recorder’s offices often manage deeds and mortgages for a county, so they’re a good place to access a chain of ownership. Since this information is up-to-date, you’ve got a good shot at finding the current owner’s name and address as part of this search.
Real estate agents are great one-on-one points of contact when inquiring about a property. They know how to access public property records and have access to their own suite of tools, such as Multiple Listing Service databases. Agents can use these tools to tell you if and when a property is available for sale, as well as who the owner is and where you can reach them.
If you don’t want to use a real estate agent, you might consider a real estate attorney instead. Like a real estate agent, they have access to resources that you might not — such as title searches and records of deed transfers — and can point you in the right direction to find a property owner’s address. Most attorneys charge for these types of services.
Title companies are a great resource since they have the ability to run a title search on your behalf. These searches turn up information regarding liens, easements, and other financial liabilities the property may have, as well as establishing the ownership of the property. Using a title company will cost you between $100 and $200, but the additional information can save you heartache down the line by helping you ensure you’re making a sound investment.
If you’re up to the task, you can go looking for property ownership details on your own. Many real estate websites will list details that can help you track down the owner, such as the parcel number. This process isn’t always straightforward, so combine this method with others to double-check the details and save yourself some hassle in the long run.
Libraries in the property’s area might have relevant public records available for viewing, which makes this another free method of conducting a property owner search. Moreover, your library will have internet access and may have connections to other municipal services who can assist you.
If the property isn’t marked with “No Trespassing” signs or similar signage, try knocking on the door! Not everyone is receptive to this method, but some folks will be willing to provide their contact information for further discussion.
A county GIS (geographic information system) is a tool often available online or in-person at locations like an assessor’s office. If you can find this information online, it may save you time and cash. However, this information can be difficult to find and may vary in accessibility depending on the region.
If you want the scope of accurate and recent information provided by an assessor or GIS, coupled with the conveniences of both a mobile and desktop app, look no further than Acres+. Not only is it an excellent resource for finding basic property information, but it includes the name and mailing address of property owners. Acres+ saves you time digging through county records or speaking with an assessor’s office.
Acres+ also includes additional features such as insights into flood zones, historic satellite imagery, and shareable custom maps.
When you find a property you just can’t let pass you by, you want to be fast and efficient. You may find it easiest to invest in the services of local officials or professionals, or you could track down property ownership information on your own. Leveraging the power of Acres+ makes it easy and affordable to keep such relevant information at your fingertips — not only while searching for who owns a property, but also during the purchasing process and beyond.
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