Are you a real estate agent looking for a new listing, a home-buyer interested in a particular house in a beautiful suburban neighborhood, or a neighbor concerned about an empty, run-down property in the local area? There are many reasons why you may need to find its owner, which is not always an easy task. If the property is occupied, you can always walk over to the front door and introduce yourself. But there are times when it’s not that simple. It could be, for example, holiday home or an inherited house of someone living in another state. In moments like these, you need to assess the best option to find out the owner’s details based on your requirements.
Here is a list of 7 great methods that will give you a range of options, from exploring public records to enlisting people to search for services like Nuwber.com, to get you fast and accurate results.
1. Speak to the neighbors
This is probably the easiest and the most non-intrusive way to find out who owns a particular house, especially if the owners are currently not occupying it. Approach a next-door neighbor, introduce yourself and explain why you are looking to contact the property owner. This could help alleviate any reluctance to disclose information. They would be more willing to help you once they understand your true intentions. And if the neighbors have been residing there for some time, you could end up uncovering much more than a name and contact details. They could tell you about the property’s history and details of any previous owners. If you are lucky, you might even be able to get an introduction.
And if this doesn’t work, not to worry, there are plenty of other options to help you.
2. Use a search engine
Search engines like Google are a simple and easy way to track down details of estate ownership. Type in the address, click search and all online records pertaining to the address will be displayed in the order of relevance. These can range from previous householders and tenants to even any mentions of the street. While this method does not always guarantee success, you will at least be able to browse through all available online materials relevant to the address.
3. Use a specialized property search tool
There are a number of online property search websites like Property Shark and US Realty Records that carry massive databases of information from all over the country. Provided that the property you are interested in is part of those databases, they can pull up the owner’s name and contact information with a simple address search. And depending on the platform you select, it can get you access to much more details about the property – from the number of bedrooms and square feet size of the house to other important features. They can also get you the previous ownership details as well as a valuation of the house among other things. However, most of these websites offer their services at a fee. So, it’s best to determine how much information you really require for your purpose before you access a paid service.
4. Perform a background search with a people search site
Today, people search sites have become a popular choice to perform a reverse search. They can access a large number of information sources to provide you with a more refined set of details. The biggest advantage of using an online people search service is that by typing in an address, you can get access to not only the owner’s name and contact details but also other ownership details, mortgages, lien records as well as details of neighbors and much more. These sites usually offer basic details for free while more in-depth information would be provided at a small fee. They provide a fast and convenient way to discreetly carry out a background search in the comfort of your home. And if you are keen to find out about much more than a contact detail, this could be the best option for you.
5. Check property deeds
The local Deeds Registry maintains all public records relating to the ownership of properties and land in the area. So, identify the local county recorder’s office pertaining to the address to find out about the legal ownership of the home. It could get you access to details not only of the current owner but also of the house history and previous ownership records. But before you visit, check whether these details can be accessed online since most county recorder’s offices now maintain online records on their websites.
6. Check tax assessment records
Everyone needs to pay taxes and, therefore, the county tax assessment office could be a great place to trace the owners of a property. Ensure that you find the local office relevant to the estate and pay a visit. By producing the address you will be able to easily get access to the name and contact details. With most public records being migrated online, chances are that the local county tax office would have their own website as well. If so, you can easily browse the tax assessment records online and quickly find the details you require.
7. Hire an investigator
If all other methods fail, then you can resort to a professional investigator. While this could be a costly option, there is a very high chance that a professional investigator could quickly find you the required details using their network, experience, and investigative skills. But assess the real value of these details before you decide to hire a professional so that you know your money is well spent.
So, these are the 7 proven methods to track down a property owner that you are looking to reach out to. However, ensure that you first gain a clear understanding of your specific objective and any additional information that you may require to achieve your goals. This will help you to select the best option that could deliver the most effective results for you.
