You’re wandering through a beautiful neighborhood when you spot your dream home. No “For Sale” sign is visible, so chances are, it’s not on the market.
How do you find out who owns the house? Whether you want to buy a specific home, contact a landlord or research an investment, most property ownership information is public record. You just need to know how to access it. By using reliable sources, you can usually find it.
Here are 14 proven ways to find a property’s owner, from online searches to government databases, as well as a few tips on how to get an owner to sell, once you’ve found them.
Key Takeaways:
- Viewing public records from tax assessors and county clerks is a simple and legal way to identify property owners.
- Always make sure you have the exact and real address for the home or property.
- Local real estate agents may be willing to provide details on a property, or you may be able to pay for a title search.
- Knocking on doors, leaving notes in the mailbox or inquiring with neighbors could potentially help you find a property owner, but respect and transparency are essential.
14 Ways To Find The Owner Of A Property
Finding the right house can be challenging, especially when it’s not officially for sale. Here are ways to locate property owners and approach them.
1. Look At Google Maps
You’ll need an address before you can ask your local tax assessor, county clerk or city hall about a piece of land and its property records. Google Maps’ satellite and street views can approximate the mailing address, latitude and longitude of a property. The satellite view can give you an idea of the plot’s terrain and general features.
2. Check Your Local Assessor’s Office
You may be able to look up property tax records and find a property’s owner by address on the local tax assessor’s website. This can reveal who owns this property easily and for free, though you may have to pay for physical documents. The tax assessor’s records can also give you an idea of what you’ll pay in taxes if you buy the property. You also may be able to find out if there is a lien on the property.
3. Check With The County Clerk
The county clerk’s office has public records of property, deeds, land records and other helpful information that can identify a property’s owner. These records can also give you some insight into the history of a property.
4. Search Online Databases
There may be more data sources to search for the identity of a property owner. “Local, county and state governments, as well as private companies like Ownerly, keep records of property ownership,” says Martin Orefice, founder of Rent To Own Labs in Orlando, Florida. “This is always publicly available information,” Orefice says. In addition, many databases may provide historical deeds and tax assessments, which can provide additional context for the property.
“Online tools like PropStream, BatchLeads or CoStar may provide detailed property data for a fee,” says Mike Wall, a REALTOR® with EXP Realty in Beavercreek, Ohio.
5. Leverage Your State’s Parcel Maps
Although not all states provide them, online parcel maps may reveal the owner’s name. Parcel maps identify property lines and provide all kinds of data on a property, such as the owner’s name, the land’s assessed value, and whether the land is owned by an individual, a business or the local municipality. To find your state’s maps, search your state’s name and “parcel map.” You might have to scroll a bit, but it’s likely to be among the top results.
6. Search For The Owner Online
Curious how to find the owner of a property by address for free? Sites like 411.com and Whitepages.com offer reverse searches where you can input a home’s address and get a list of who lives there. You could also consider social media sites, with local groups, to search for information about the area, potentially learning more about the people who live there.
Extremely important: Please note that the accuracy of the information these sites provide varies and it is best to use them as secondary sources, after obtaining a legal document with the owner’s property information. You may be required to create an account and pay a fee for more detailed information.
7. Consult A Real Estate Agent
If you’re already house hunting, talk to your real estate agent. Your agent may have access to tools that dig deeper to find a property owner by address.
8. Hire A Title Company
A title company can research deeds and perform title searches. A title search will identify the owner and check for any disputes related to the property. You’ll have to pay a fee, usually in the range of $75 – $200.
9. Talk To A Lawyer
If the other options on this list haven’t yielded satisfactory results, you could talk to a real estate attorney. They may have a few ideas for how to find the property owner if you’re having trouble doing so.
10. Call A Land Surveyor
A land surveyor identifies property boundaries and should be able to find the owner, for a fee. Not all properties will have a survey and the documents are typically not made public, but Mark Pierce, a real estate attorney and founder of WyomingLLCAttorney.com in Sheridan, Wyoming, says that a property survey can be a valuable resource: “They have access to plots and often possess knowledge of recent transfers.”
11. Use A Real Estate App
A variety of apps can help you identify a property’s owner. “Try easy-to-use apps by Zillow, Redfin or Realtor.com to look for properties with public record details and to cross-reference with tax assessor information,” Wall says.
If you are planning on buying investment properties, you could sign up for alerts on multiple sites. If you go this route, prepare to invest a significant amount of time on research before you buy.
12. Check Land Use Authorities
Local planning or zoning boards often maintain property records, especially when an owner applies for a zoning change or there’s a zoning dispute. It’s also worth considering taking the time to call or visit the office in person, which might provide more information than searching solely online.
13. Knock On The Door Or Leave A Note
If you’re comfortable doing so, knock on the door and ask who owns this house. If the resident isn’t the owner, they will likely know how to contact the owner. Be friendly and respectful to whoever answers the door. Some people might find this move unexpected or even invasive, but it may be worth a shot. If no one answers, consider leaving a note with your contact information asking the owner to contact you.
14. Ask The Neighbors
In some cases, you could ask the neighbors. Consider dropping a note with your phone number before ringing their doorbell. If you can get in touch with them, ask them about living in the neighborhood. If they have been there a while, they might have a phone number or email address for the current owner. Even better, they may be willing to introduce you. Along those lines, if you live in the community where you want to buy, reach out to local groups. Maybe someone knows the owner.
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Reasons You Might Want To Find A Property’s Owner
There are a few reasons for wanting to find out the name of a property owner.
- Intent to purchase the home: When housing stock is limited or when you simply fall in love with an off-market property and want to buy it, you’ll need to find out who owns it.
- Historic home preservation: “Sometimes, it’s about preservation,” says Pierce. “You might seek to keep the property within the community or to protect a building of historical significance.”
- Interest in a neglected or dilapidated home: An investor may need to find the owner of a property they see as neglected or underused. “Identifying the owner can enable you to make an offer or propose a solution that benefits both parties,” says Wall.
- Complaints or concerns about a property: If you have complaints about a property or need to resolve probate or title concerns, you’ll need to find the owner, says Orefice. For example, if the owner is a neighbor whose tree infringes on your property, you’ll need to find them to discuss and resolve the problem.
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How To Convince A Property Owner To Sell
Once you find the owner of a property, the challenge comes in making an offer that will convince them to sell.
“You want to get to know the owner and their motivations,” Orefice says. “While throwing money at them is always an option, the more you learn about their personal situation, and the more they get to know about you, the better your chances of success here.”
Pierce recommends showing a genuine interest in the property, demonstrating your ability to pay and using an accommodating negotiation approach. “Ensure all your communications are respectful and transparent without pestering the owner,” he says.
Wall suggests appealing to the owner’s emotions by highlighting how much you appreciate the property and would care for it. “If the property is vacant, distressed or underused, suggest solutions,” Wall says. “Respect the owner’s time and concerns and establish trust before making an offer. And share comparable sales data to justify your offer and demonstrate fairness.”
Get preapproved for a mortgage and offer some cash
Mortgage preapproval can make your offer more attractive to sellers because they know you can get a home loan. Many sellers won’t work with a buyer unless they are preapproved.
Making an earnest money deposit also lets a seller know you’re serious about buying. It also provides some protection for both parties if the deal falls through. The amount of money you put down depends on the sale price of the home or land parcel. Typically, an earnest money deposit is 1% – 3% of the purchase price. It can even be as high as 10% – but if you want the house, you might have to be prepared to pay.
Offer flexible terms. “Be open to things like creative financing, subject-to agreements or deferred payments,” Wall says.
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FAQ About Finding A Property Owner
Here are answers to common questions about how to find out who owns a property.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve found your dream home off-market, don’t despair; there are many ways to find out who owns the home. You can identify property owners through government records, real estate apps, professional services or direct contact. If you’re serious about a property, getting a mortgage preapproval, offering earnest money and making a compelling offer will help you be prepared if you persuade an owner to sell.
Maya Dollarhide
Maya Dollarhide is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience covering personal finance topics. Her writing credits include AARP, Bankrate, Investopedia, CNN.com, Yahoo Finance and Lending Tree. She enjoys writing articles and producing multimedia content that helps individuals and families make informed decisions about their money, from mortgages and home loans to reducing credit card debt and saving for retirement. She has also created educational materials for use in schools to teach young people about personal finance, from opening up a bank account to saving for college and beyond.
