When I research a property I’ll check online with the assessor’s office for the owner’s name, parcel number and legal descript etc, then check to make sure the property taxes are current.
The next thing I’ll do is check online at the recorder’s office for deeds, trust deeds, liens and judgments etc. I want to check at least as far back to when the last title insurance policy was issued.
If there is a document I need I'll pick it up at the recorder's office the following day.
Then I’ll check the comps and if I’m still interested I’ll pull a property profile from one of the title companies I subscribe to.
Of course different counties will have different ways of looking for these records on their sites. Some counties you need the recorder’s code number vice the document name which should be located somewhere on the site. Some counties you can pull up that days recordings and then search through each document. Some counties aren’t even on line and you will have to visit the recorder’s office or court house. Each area is different as to the procedures, but the info is basically the same. What you want to do is ask questions of the clerks as they are happy to help.
The folks at the courthouse are nice and will help too. Also there are folks there 8 hours a day doing research and they too will help do the search. Pay special attention to deaths and taxes and divorce. We can not escape a few of those and they always affect title.
When I research a property I’ll check online with the assessor’s office for the owner’s name, parcel number and legal descript etc, then check to make sure the property taxes are current.
The next thing I’ll do is check online at the recorder’s office for deeds, trust deeds, liens and judgments etc. I want to check at least as far back to when the last title insurance policy was issued.
If there is a document I need I'll pick it up at the recorder's office the following day.
Then I’ll check the comps and if I’m still interested I’ll pull a property profile from one of the title companies I subscribe to.
Of course different counties will have different ways of looking for these records on their sites. Some counties you need the recorder’s code number vice the document name which should be located somewhere on the site. Some counties you can pull up that days recordings and then search through each document. Some counties aren’t even on line and you will have to visit the recorder’s office or court house. Each area is different as to the procedures, but the info is basically the same. What you want to do is ask questions of the clerks as they are happy to help.
John (LV)
Thanks, John
The folks at the courthouse are nice and will help too. Also there are folks there 8 hours a day doing research and they too will help do the search. Pay special attention to deaths and taxes and divorce. We can not escape a few of those and they always affect title.
Good LUCK and HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Hope this helps some
Ted Jr