How to Find a Property Owner: MY Proven Techniques and Tools
I can recall the time I needed to search for a property owner of a building that was falling apart in my neighborhood. The city did not care, and there was silence everywhere. That is when I needed to learn how to discover an owner. With time, I did. You should too.
This guidebook is not about finding the name of the people. It is much more than that. It is helping to give YOU the proper tools so you can find all the secrets to neighborhoods across the land!
Why You Might Need to Find a Property Owner (And Why It Matters)
It might make a lot more sense to understand why someone wants to find someone, especially in the world of houses. Let’s say you are having a dispute, and hope to settle a common area that you share. There are also circumstances where an investor has the eyes for a property, or maybe you want the owner to take action about an abandoned property. These are the scenarios you end up doing.
Decoding Public Records: Your First Stop – Understanding Land Records and Deeds
You can use land records and deeds as the property’s story of what went on in the past. Land records are all the documents related to real estate, and a deed transfers a property from one party to the other. The documents are often stored at the county. I remember when those old records were extremely difficult to determine.
Navigating the County Recorder’s Office (Online and In-Person)
Lots of counties have opened their doors to the internet so that tracking down properties for individuals has never been easier! In modern times you can search online by using the property’s name or the parcel number.
Even better than the online route is going to visit the county recorder! You could get valuable assistance doing that for the records. I remember once spending an entire day misinterpreting the description of a land parcel before someone walked in and corrected me!.
I can warn you that sometimes, online records have not yet been updated. Before moving quickly, it is important to get the facts straight.
Free (and Almost Free) Online Tools & Resources – County Assessor Websites: A Goldmine of Information
County assessor websites are a great way to find property owners! Search [County Name] county assessor in the search engine that you use. Then, they will show you a ton of different attributes. This source is vital as it helps to track down the owners quickly.
Free Online Property Search Tools (Zillow, Trulia, etc.) – Use with Caution
You can use sites like Zillow and Trulia for finding the property information, as I am sure you are well aware! However, the content may be outdated. I do seem to remember once looking at a location’s square footage to realize that those numbers were incorrect. However, they are good places to start so you can gain information.
The amazing resources are all there! You have to just conduct a search.
Social Media Sleuthing: Finding Owners Through Facebook, LinkedIn & More
I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but social media is a very good way to search for the people who might own something! Start searching on Facebook and find if there are any groups. It is vital to remember that you do need to respect the person’s privacy. My best tip to you is that you reach out to the people appropriately. If you go out there and spam information, you might not have a great time.
With some thought, social media can be useful. I once bonded over a connection with one of the owners I knew that had gone to the same university as me!
Advanced Search Tactics: Digging Deeper – Utilizing Reverse Address Lookup Services
When you are trying to find properties, one of the advanced search tactics is the Reverse Address Lookup. Many of these programs are online and can allow you to enter the address and then show you who potentially owns the building. I once worked where the service uncovered other business’s interests that I would not have otherwise known.
It may be necessary to obtain specialized information with help of private investigator or title company. It depends heavily on time commitment, resources, and risk.
Tracking Down LLCs and Corporate Ownership
Many find it challenging to discover the ownership of buildings from LLCs and corporations. They can hide the owner’s identity. Visit the website where the corporation is registered! You can view the data there.
These websites can be tricky as they are not always written clearly. You must follow the data they mention to find the information.
When to Call in the Pros: Hiring a Private Investigator
The Expertise of Private Investigators: When It’s Worth the Investment
Finding an owner might take some time, and using a professional investigator might be required to give you that service. They might know more in detail about disputes. They can discretely ask around, and their knowledge might be useful for navigating the world.
Title Companies: Accessing Specialized Property Information
Title companies have a lot of data within them. If you pay the money, they will give you comprehensive information. They can provide great money if you have a complex transaction or high value properties to work with.
Protecting Yourself: Securing Your Own Property Information – Reviewing and Correcting Public Records
Do some research about your own property in the Public Records?
You can check to see if your number and address numbers can be found there. It’s one of those things where some states make it visible, and others are very careful. I’d never suggest putting your family member’s names and images on a public forum. That makes your house an easy target for robberies.
Check your name, property details, and address. Also check what you find on Experian.com and also through joindeleteme.com to see how they might be compiling your data. You have the option to opt out of these sites, and it might be a task you take for yourself.
It’s a simple and small step that you can do if you truly believe in protecting your property.
Protecting Yourself: Securing Your Own Property Information – Understanding Privacy Laws and Data Protection
There are considerations to bear in mind. While they are typically public knowledge, you need to realize that there can be restrictions on how the data can be used.
Avoiding Stalking, Harassment, and Other Unethical Uses
Under no circumstance must you use an owner’s information to stalk or harass them. If I am approached that someone might do that in the future, I would notify my authorities immediately! Ethical consideration must take precedence and make it immoral to take that route.