Difference between revisions of "Find Property Owners"
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Whether you need to find the owners of a dilapidated piece of property that needs cleaning up, or want to make an offer on your dream property that isn't yet for sale, locating the names of a property owner can be as easy as knocking on a door or as time-consuming as requesting copies of public tax records at the county assessor's office. If all attempts to act as your own private investigator fail, you can always pay a professional to perform a comprehensive property records search to find the property owners. | Whether you need to find the owners of a dilapidated piece of property that needs cleaning up, or want to make an offer on your dream property that isn't yet for sale, locating the names of a property owner can be as easy as knocking on a door or as time-consuming as requesting copies of public tax records at the county assessor's office. If all attempts to act as your own private investigator fail, you can always pay a professional to perform a comprehensive property records search to find the property owners. | ||
| − | [[Category:Real Estate]] | + | [[Category: Real Estate]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Using Public Records === | === Using Public Records === | ||
#Contact the county tax assessor. If there's a piece of property, someone is paying tax on it – or not. If the owner is delinquent on their taxes, the state and county will be looking for them too. | #Contact the county tax assessor. If there's a piece of property, someone is paying tax on it – or not. If the owner is delinquent on their taxes, the state and county will be looking for them too. | ||
| − | #*If property taxes aren't current, the county may foreclose on the property and sell it at public auction.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=bwdgj16E21AC&lpg=PT77&dq=how%20to%20find%20out%20who%20is%20paying%20tax%20on%20an%20abandoned%20property&pg=PT77#v=onepage&q=find%20owner&f=false</ref> | + | #*If property taxes aren't current, the county may foreclose on the property and sell it at public auction.<ref name="rf1">https://books.google.com/books?id=bwdgj16E21AC&lpg=PT77&dq=how%20to%20find%20out%20who%20is%20paying%20tax%20on%20an%20abandoned%20property&pg=PT77#v=onepage&q=find%20owner&f=false</ref> |
| − | #*If you go to the [http://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/real-estate-public-records/ website] of the tax assessor in the county where the property is located, you may be able to search records online. In more rural counties, you may have to go to the tax assessor's office or your local public library and search paper records.<ref>http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/real-property-tax-database-search</ref> | + | #*If you go to the [http://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/real-estate-public-records/ website] of the tax assessor in the county where the property is located, you may be able to search records online. In more rural counties, you may have to go to the tax assessor's office or your local public library and search paper records.<ref name="rf2">http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/real-property-tax-database-search</ref> |
| − | #*In most cases, if you know the street address of the property, you can search the county database that way. You'll get the most precise results if you've determined the plat number or the lot and block of the property.<ref>https://www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/RP_Search.jsp?search_type=Assessment</ref> | + | #*In most cases, if you know the street address of the property, you can search the county database that way. You'll get the most precise results if you've determined the plat number or the lot and block of the property.<ref name="rf3">https://www.taxpayerservicecenter.com/RP_Search.jsp?search_type=Assessment</ref> |
#* The tax records will include the name and contact information of the property owner. | #* The tax records will include the name and contact information of the property owner. | ||
| − | #*Tax records also may include detail about the most recent appraisal of the property, including its dimensions, number of rooms, type of heating or air conditioning, and other property features.<ref>http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/otr/publication/attachments/PropertyDetailTips.pdf</ref> | + | #*Tax records also may include detail about the most recent appraisal of the property, including its dimensions, number of rooms, type of heating or air conditioning, and other property features.<ref name="rf4">http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/otr/publication/attachments/PropertyDetailTips.pdf</ref> |
| − | #*If the property has a tax lien or deficiency, the owners may be more willing to sell the property just to get rid of the debt.<ref>http://www.realtor.com/advice/find-buy-abandoned-properties/</ref> | + | #*If the property has a tax lien or deficiency, the owners may be more willing to sell the property just to get rid of the debt.<ref name="rf5">http://www.realtor.com/advice/find-buy-abandoned-properties/</ref> |
#Call 411 directory assistance. If you have the owner's name and the address of the property, you may be able to get a telephone number. | #Call 411 directory assistance. If you have the owner's name and the address of the property, you may be able to get a telephone number. | ||
| − | #Consult other public records such as property deeds. Since property deeds must be recorded, you can take a trip to the county recorder's office and pull up the deed to the property.<ref>http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/deeds-faq-29119-3.html</ref> | + | #Consult other public records such as property deeds. Since property deeds must be recorded, you can take a trip to the county recorder's office and pull up the deed to the property.<ref name="rf6">http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/deeds-faq-29119-3.html</ref> |
| − | #*The recorder of deeds is responsible for maintaining public records of all land ownership and transfers.<ref>http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/service/recorder-deeds-services</ref> | + | #*The recorder of deeds is responsible for maintaining public records of all land ownership and transfers.<ref name="rf7">http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/service/recorder-deeds-services</ref> |
| − | #*In most counties, the recorder's office is located in the county courthouse.<ref | + | #*In most counties, the recorder's office is located in the county courthouse.<ref name="rf6" /> |
| − | #*Some recorder's offices may even have these records online for you to search, especially if the property is in a major metropolitan area.<ref>http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/node/381242</ref> | + | #*Some recorder's offices may even have these records online for you to search, especially if the property is in a major metropolitan area.<ref name="rf8">http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/node/381242</ref> |
| − | #*The deed records the transfer of property, so you not only find the current owner of record, but also who they purchased the property from and if there are any liens on the property.<ref | + | #*The deed records the transfer of property, so you not only find the current owner of record, but also who they purchased the property from and if there are any liens on the property.<ref name="rf6" /> |
| − | #*Deeds also will be easier to search if you've determined the plat or lot number of the property, since the plat number is the only information required for the legal description of the property on the deed.<ref>http://us.practicallaw.com/5-507-1532</ref> | + | #*Deeds also will be easier to search if you've determined the plat or lot number of the property, since the plat number is the only information required for the legal description of the property on the deed.<ref name="rf9">http://us.practicallaw.com/5-507-1532</ref> |
| − | #Use an online property search tool. Websites such as propertyshark.com search all public records to provide you a single report with detailed property information including tax and sales history.<ref>http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/text/infopages/Property-Owners.html</ref> | + | #Use an online property search tool. Websites such as propertyshark.com search all public records to provide you a single report with detailed property information including tax and sales history.<ref name="rf10">http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/text/infopages/Property-Owners.html</ref> |
#*You may have to pay a fee to use some of these search tools, or to access a full report with your complete search results. | #*You may have to pay a fee to use some of these search tools, or to access a full report with your complete search results. | ||
=== Talking to the Neighbors === | === Talking to the Neighbors === | ||
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#*If the property is truly abandoned, this isn't likely, but it's worth a shot. | #*If the property is truly abandoned, this isn't likely, but it's worth a shot. | ||
#*Include your name and a phone number on the post card, as well as the reasons you are contacting the owner. | #*Include your name and a phone number on the post card, as well as the reasons you are contacting the owner. | ||
| − | #Determine the plat or lot and block of the property. This survey system is most frequently used to parcel out subdivisions in suburban areas, or define property boundaries in a densely populated urban area.<ref | + | #Determine the plat or lot and block of the property. This survey system is most frequently used to parcel out subdivisions in suburban areas, or define property boundaries in a densely populated urban area.<ref name="rf9" /> |
=== Hiring a Professional === | === Hiring a Professional === | ||
#Talk to a real estate agent. If you see signs in nearby yards for a particular real estate agent, give them a call and ask about the property. An agent selling other houses or property in the area is likely to have knowledge about the neighborhood. | #Talk to a real estate agent. If you see signs in nearby yards for a particular real estate agent, give them a call and ask about the property. An agent selling other houses or property in the area is likely to have knowledge about the neighborhood. | ||
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#*A real estate agent's professional connections can enable her to find information about a property owner much faster than you could on your own. | #*A real estate agent's professional connections can enable her to find information about a property owner much faster than you could on your own. | ||
#Contact a title company. Since title companies routinely perform searches to clear title on properties, and record deeds after title transfers, they have easy access to accurate, current information on a property. | #Contact a title company. Since title companies routinely perform searches to clear title on properties, and record deeds after title transfers, they have easy access to accurate, current information on a property. | ||
| − | #*If you want to buy the property, connecting with a title search company will be essential, because you will need a complete and accurate history of the property's title and its value.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=bwdgj16E21AC&lpg=PT77&dq=how%20to%20find%20out%20who%20is%20paying%20tax%20on%20an%20abandoned%20property&pg=PT78#v=onepage&q=find%20owner&f=false</ref> | + | #*If you want to buy the property, connecting with a title search company will be essential, because you will need a complete and accurate history of the property's title and its value.<ref name="rf11">https://books.google.com/books?id=bwdgj16E21AC&lpg=PT77&dq=how%20to%20find%20out%20who%20is%20paying%20tax%20on%20an%20abandoned%20property&pg=PT78#v=onepage&q=find%20owner&f=false</ref> |
| − | #*A title company isn't going to conduct a title search for free. Title search fees, which typically run between $200 and $400, normally would be included in the general closing costs when you were buying a house.<ref>http://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/how-much-are-closing-costs/</ref> A title search independent of a home sale might cost more, depending on the company you contact. | + | #*A title company isn't going to conduct a title search for free. Title search fees, which typically run between $200 and $400, normally would be included in the general closing costs when you were buying a house.<ref name="rf12">http://www.zillow.com/home-buying-guide/how-much-are-closing-costs/</ref> A title search independent of a home sale might cost more, depending on the company you contact. |
| − | #Find a skip tracer. Skip tracers, like bounty hunters, are professionals who find people who've "skipped" out and can't be located by usual means. Skip tracers are familiar with and have access to a number of databases that may not be available to the general public.<ref>http://www.bountyhunteredu.org/what-is-skip-tracing/</ref> | + | #Find a skip tracer. Skip tracers, like bounty hunters, are professionals who find people who've "skipped" out and can't be located by usual means. Skip tracers are familiar with and have access to a number of databases that may not be available to the general public.<ref name="rf13">http://www.bountyhunteredu.org/what-is-skip-tracing/</ref> |
#*Skip tracers also may interview neighbors, relatives, or other sources and conduct surveillance on the property if necessary to locate the owner. | #*Skip tracers also may interview neighbors, relatives, or other sources and conduct surveillance on the property if necessary to locate the owner. | ||
| − | #*Independent skip tracers often work with bounty hunters, bail bondsmen, and private investigators.<ref | + | #*Independent skip tracers often work with bounty hunters, bail bondsmen, and private investigators.<ref name="rf13" /> |
== Related Articles == | == Related Articles == | ||
