Title Searches

[REIaddicted]

I have a link that has many many many on-line recordes and accesors. It is a free link and may help those trying to find on-line sources.

There are numerous county public records databases available online for each
state in the county. NETR Public Records Online is the best site on the net
for free County Public Records


Located at http://www.netronline.com/


From their home page, click on 'Public Records". On the next page, you
simply click on the state. You'll be taken to a page that lists all the
counties of the state.


This page contains details on each county, such as:


a.. Appraisal District Phone Number
b.. Appraisal District Online Database
c.. Recorder Phone Number
d.. Recorder Online Database

Lisa

[Dan Auito]

THANK YOU Lisa! This is an excellent resource for research and I'm so glad you profiled it for us. Thanks so much! :thumbsup:

[REIaddicted]

You are very welcome. If I worked up a step by step title search routine and posted it... would people be interested ?

Lisa

[OKRICHLAND]

You are very welcome. If I worked up a step by step title search routine and posted it... would people be interested ?

Lisa

YES! YES! YES! :SM039: :SM039: :SM039:

[Dan Auito]

That's a double YES YES YES :SM050: :SM050: :SM050:

[REIaddicted]

I will start the title research steps as soon as I can. My kid had a tourney that he was seated 3rd for. we have another full day while he fights for 1st. Then mom can relax and do what she loves :SM135:

I learn more as I draw up the steps. IMHO education needs to be ongoing. I love it :icon_knab
Lisa

[REIaddicted]

Sorry if this is long. I generaly start with an on-line basic search then move to the court house. These are the areas I look at.

A title search generally includes mapping a chain of title by examining all the recorded deeds concerning the property. A chain of title is established by determining that the present owner received valid title from the prior owner, and the prior owner received valid title from that prior owner on down the line for a certain number of years.

What’s on the title?
You will find:
• the names of the owner(s) of the land;
• description of the land;
• easements;
• mortgages;
• Caveats; and covenants.

What you can find and where:

TAX ASSESSOR’S OFFICE

WHAT YOU CAN FIND:

• LEGAL DESCRIPTION
• PROPERTY DATA
• TAX APPRAISAL

RECORDER OF DEEDS

WHAT YOU CAN FIND:

• HISTORY OF TITLE
RECORDED DEEDS

ELEMENTS OF A VALID DEED

 Name of the grantor
 Name of the grantee
 Recital of consideration
 Legal description of the property
 Words of conveyance
 Signature of the grantor
 Acknowledgment
 Delivery and acceptance

TYPES OF DEEDS

 General Warranty Deed
 Special Warranty Deed
 Quitclaim Deed
 Deed of Trust / Mortgage
 Release Deed
 Trustee’s Sale Deed
 Sheriff’s Deed

DEEDS: BOOK ACCESS

1. USE PROPERTY’S LEGAL DESCRIPTION
FOR SUBDIVISON INDEX TO LOCATE LAND
LIST BOOK / PAGE NUMBER

2. PULL OUT LAND LIST BOOK, TURN TO
CORRECT PAGE NUMBER AND NOTE
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

3. LOCATE TRANSFER OF TITLE

4. GO TO MICROFILM AND PULL
THE CORRECT BOOK, THEN
SEARCH FOR THE CORRECT
PAGE.

5. VERIFY CURRENT AND
PREVIOUS OWNERS ON
WARRANTY DEED

DEEDS: COMPUTER ACCESS
1. SELECT NAME OPTION ON THE FIRST SCREEN

2. TYPE IN NAME OF CURRENT OWNER

3. CROSS REFERENCE LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR DEEDS RECORDED ON SUBJECT PROPERTY

4. BEGIN SEARCH WITH WARRANTY DEED, THEN CONTINUE SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING DEEDS OF TRUST

5. DEED OF TRUST:
VERIFY PARTIES, NOTE AMOUNT, TERM OF LOAN, INTEREST RATE IF AVAILABLE

TREASURER OR COLLECTOR OF REVENUE’S OFFICE

WHAT YOU CAN FIND:

PROPERTY TAX BILL

 THE PROPERTY TAX BILL

Morgage still owed:

How do we estimate the amount owed on a property?

Say the Mortgage Date was 1/1/94 for $200,000 at 7.75% interest. The monthly payment is $1,510.66 and using the loan amortization it has a balance of $148,223.48 left on the mortgage. Since the loan was in 94 for $200,000 and about 10 years has gone by we have a great equity spread even without even considering property appreciation.

I will also post the form I use.

Lisa

[REIaddicted]

EVALUATION FORM
For Courthouse Research





DATE: _____________________________________________

OWNER’S NAME: ___________________________________

ADDRESS: __________________________________________

CITY, STATE, ZIP: ___________________________________

TELEPHONE NO.: ___________________________________

FILE INFORMATION

PROPERTY ADDRESS___________________________________________ ______________________

LEGAL DESCRIPTION __________________________________________________ ______________




TAX ASSESSMENT ___________________________ TAX APPRAISAL _______________________

YEAR BUILT_________________________________ SQUARE FOOTAGE ____________________

ATTORNEY _________________________________ PHONE ________________________________

BALANCE OWING ____________________________ LAST PAYMENT _______________________

ORIG. LOAN DATE ___________________________ NOTE AMOUNT _______________________

CASE # ______________________________________ CURRENT TAX BILL ___________________


WARRANTY DEED ______________________________________________ B _______ P _______

MORTGAGE OR DEED OF TRUST _________________________________ B _______ P _______

TRUSTEE’S / SHERIFF’S DEED ____________________________________ B _______ P _______

ADDITIONAL LIENS _____________________________________________ B _______ P _______

ADDITIONAL LIENS _____________________________________________ B _______ P _______



COMMENTS__________________________________________ _______________________________

__________________________________________________ ___________________________________

[REIaddicted]

The Permanent Index Number

The first step in the tax search is to find the Permanent Index Number (PIN) for the property. All property tax records in most Counties follow this method of identifying properties. PIN's are listed by address in the Street Index Number books in the Treasurer’s Office or Assessors Office you will see the Street Index Number books.

These books are arranged alphabetically by street name. Within each book the addresses are arranged numerically. The street number on the building may not correspond to the address listed in the Street Index Number book.

For this reason, it is a good idea to check out the addresses of the adjacent buildings, or draw a little map of the area before doing your research so you will have a better chance of pinpointing the correct index number.

When you find your address the entry will look something like this:

Street No. Vol. A-AS- Blk-Pcl-Unit Town Name 1852 N. Talman 531 13-36-411-026-0000 West

Locating Tax Information

Now, with your PIN clutched firmly in hand, you are ready to begin your tax search. Property tax records are kept normally by County offices:

1. County Assessor’s office
2. County Treasurers office
Or
3. County Clerk s office.

The County Assessor keeps the main records on property assessment, although some records may also kept by both the Treasurer and the Clerk.

The County Treasurer/Assessor keeps records on the amount and payment of current taxes.

The County Clerk keeps records for past years. This office also records whether back taxes are redeemed (paid) and all information regarding tax sales.

Information is kept in five main record systems:

Real Estate Collector’s Warrant Books (Warrant Books)

These books contain a yearly accounting of all County properties, their assessed value, the amount of taxes due, and whether they were paid.


Tax Judgment, Sale, and Redemption Records Book. (Judgment Books)

These books contain a yearly recording of tax delinquent properties, any sales or redemption's. And filing of objections or errors in the assessment of the property.

Scavenger Sale Books

These books contain (for any year in which there is a Scavenger Sale) an accounting of all properties eligible for Scavenger Sale and information on any bids made at the Scavenger Sale and redemption's made afterward.

Property Record Cards

The Assessor’s Office has a card for every property containing all information concerning assessment.

Current information is also kept on microfiche or Computerized Data Files.

The most up-to-date property data is contained in the Computerized Data File.

This information is available to the Assessor’s staff but not to the public on a regular basis. Computer printout of some of the data is known as the "Field Analysis Ratio Report, and is available for inspection on special request to the assessor.

Warrant Books

The first step you will probably want to take is to find out who the current taxpayer is and whether the current rent taxes are paid.

This information will be helpful even if you are just looking for the owner of a property

[karlpie]

You are very welcome. If I worked up a step by step title search routine and posted it... would people be interested ?

Lisa

My answer to this is YES, YES, YES!!!!!

Karen
:wink:

Is there any way that you could email this information so I could keep on my hard drive and access it when I need it?????? Please advise.

Karen

[REIaddicted]

Hi karen,

Did you need more info than what is posted? If so, let me know :)

Lisa

[Dan Auito]

Hi karen,

Did you need more info than what is posted? If so, let me know :)

Lisa

Rock Solid advice Lisa. You're a real asset to the community and I can't begin to thank you enough for laying it all out for everyone. Simply a fantastic job on your part!
I will definitely be using your instructions to dig a little deeper and certainly more thoroughly then ever before. :praise:

[karlpie]

Hi karen,

Did you need more info than what is posted? If so, let me know :)

Lisa

Lisa,

Thanks for the speedy response! Actually I'm so new here I'm still learning how to get around in these things! After I had posted wanting you to email me what you posted, I realized that I could subscribe to this group and have these emailed to me. If this is true and if I do get the emails which I'm sure I will, you don't have to do anything for me at the moment. I really appreciate this information more than you'll know.

God bless you for sharing! :)

Karen
:SM128:

[REIaddicted]

Rock Solid advice Lisa. You're a real asset to the community and I can't begin to thank you enough for laying it all out for everyone. Simply a fantastic job on your part!
I will definitely be using your instructions to dig a little deeper and certainly more thoroughly then ever before. :praise:


Thank you very much :) I am glad I was able to contribute as I have also learned much from this great site. :praise:

Lisa

[REIaddicted]

Lisa,

Thanks for the speedy response! Actually I'm so new here I'm still learning how to get around in these things! After I had posted wanting you to email me what you posted, I realized that I could subscribe to this group and have these emailed to me. If this is true and if I do get the emails which I'm sure I will, you don't have to do anything for me at the moment. I really appreciate this information more than you'll know.

God bless you for sharing! :)

Karen
:SM128:

I am more than happy to share. Education and sharing info is the key to our success. :SM005:

[REIaddicted]

Rock Solid advice Lisa. You're a real asset to the community and I can't begin to thank you enough for laying it all out for everyone. Simply a fantastic job on your part!
I will definitely be using your instructions to dig a little deeper and certainly more thoroughly then ever before. :praise:


I wished I could have posted on the subject quicker. The kid had a wrestling tourney.. took 3rd but now has rotator cuff damage :scream:

To make state this year means mom is up at 5:30 for 6:00 am appt. with the trainer and pamering at home ! :icon_roll

Lisa

[Gloria]

I tried this today as there are 2 foreclosures coming up I am interested in. Got on the computer, typed in the name, looked at some of the stuff. One person had nothing listed on there but what I found on the other one was enough to boggle my brain.
Looks like I have a lot of learning to do on how to understand some of the stuff that's on there, types of loans, etc.

[Gloria]

I went back today and spent the morning reading on those 2 houses I was interested in. Got it down to 1. Here is the info I got.
person #1 sold on to person #2 on an assumption loan but bank is foreclosing on person #1.
Since person #1 is out of the picture now, what rights does person #2 have? Loan paper says if person 2 defaults, person 1 will foreclose, but bank foreclosed on person 1.
Looks like this one may be one to stay away from. What do you think with this info?

[joseph44]

Hi Lisa,This information is great I have one question (can this all be done on line or at the court house?This is terriffic stuff!!!

[Debbie]

Hi Lisa,This information is great I have one question (can this all be done on line or at the court house?This is terriffic stuff!!!

Lisa has been banned from this website for a very, very good reason.

To answer to your question, some counties have it available via online. In my county, it is not available therefore I'd have to go to the public records building. You can call your building and ask if they have it available online and ask if it's free.