Ever pass by a home and instantly know you want to buy it? If it’s not for sale, you’ll need to find the owner before making an offer that might tempt them to sell. Here are 17 tips for how to find out who owns a property, plus tips on getting them to sell.
Key Takeaways:
- Public records from tax assessors, county clerks and other sources are your best bet for identifying a property owner.
- Real estate agents, title companies and surveyors often can provide more details on a property and its owner, though you may need to pay for it.
- Knocking on doors, leaving notes in the mailbox or inquiring with neighbors can help you find a property owner, but respect and transparency are essential.
Reasons You Might Want To Find A Property’s Owner
Wanting to make an offer to buy a home is an obvious reason to find a property owner, but it’s not the only one.
“Sometimes, it’s about preservation,” says Mark Pierce, a real estate attorney and founder of WyomingLLCAttorney.com in Sheridan, Wyoming. “You might seek to keep the property within the community or to protect a building of historical significance.”
Investors 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 Mike Wall, a Realtor with EXP Realty in Beavercreek, Ohio.
If you have complaints about a property or need to resolve probate or title concerns, you’ll need to find the owner, says Martin Orefice, founder of Rent To Own Labs in Orlando, Florida. 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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17 Ways To Find The Owner Of A Property
It can be challenging to find the right house, and even when you do, it may not be for sale. Let’s look at how to find out who owns a house and what to do once you find out.
1. 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 also can 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.
2. 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 also can give you some insight into the history of a property.
3. Use Your Local Library
Your local library may have a database to conduct a free property search. This could be available online, or you may be able to find public records in person.
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,” Orefice says. “This is always publicly available information.”
“Many databases include historical deeds and tax assessments, which can provide additional context,” says Dennis Shirshikov, a finance and economics professor at City University of New York Queens College.
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 in 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. Please note that the accuracy of the information these sites provide varies. You may be required to create an account and pay a fee for more detailed information.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Ask A Real Estate Investor
Newcomers to the world of real estate may find industry-specific platforms complicated and challenging to learn. If you know an experienced investor, consider asking for a favor. They may already subscribe to these services and be willing to help you.
10. 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 to $200.
11. 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.
12. Call A Land Surveyor
A land surveyor identifies property boundaries and should be able to find the owner.
“While not a free option, surveyors often have access to detailed ownership records and can clarify boundary disputes or overlapping claims,” Shirshikov says.
Pierce agrees that a property survey can be a valuable resource: “They have access to plots and often possess knowledge of recent transfers.”
13. 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. “Just be aware that some of these resources are not always accurate or up to date.”
14. Check Land Use Authorities
Local planning or zoning boards often maintain property records, especially when owners apply 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. “A phone call or in-person visit might yield additional insights not available online,” Shirshikov says.
15. Pay For An Online Real Estate Service
Signing up for an online real estate service may help you identify a property owner and find their contact information. These services charge a monthly fee and a subscription may not be the best option unless you’re planning to start buying investment properties. If you decide to go this route, prepare to invest a significant amount of time and research before you buy.
16. Knock On The Door Or Leave A Note
If you’re comfortable knocking on the door, knock on the door and ask who owns this house. If the resident isn’t the owner, they 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. If no one answers, consider leaving a note with your contact information asking the owner to contact you.
17. Ask The Neighbors
You also can ask the neighbors. They may be able to identify the owner and tell you more about what it’s like to live in the neighborhood. If they’ve lived in the neighborhood for a while, they might have a phone number or email address for the current owner.
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How To Convince A Property Owner To Sell
Once you find the owner of a property, then comes the challenge of 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.”
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 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, earnest money deposits are 1% to 3% of the purchase price.
Offer flexible terms. “Be open to things like creative financing, subject-to agreements or deferred payments,” Wall says.
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Tips For How Do I Find Out Who Owns A Property
To learn how to see who owns a house, follow these tips:
- Study official public records. “County or city property records are often accessible online, and they list current ownership, purchase prices and sometimes even mortgage details,” Shirshikov says.
- Ask the neighbors. Contact people who live near the property in question and ask if they know the owner.
- Use a paid service. “Online tools like PropStream, BatchLeads or CoStar may provide detailed property data for a fee,” Wall says.
- Consult experts in a pinch. Ask a local real estate agent or property manager if they know the owner. “Also, consider visiting your local recorder’s office or enlisting the help of a title company – which can provide comprehensive records,” Shirshikov says.
FAQ
Here are answers to common questions about how do you find out who owns a property.
The Bottom Line
There are several ways to find out who owns a property you’re interested in, including searching government records, using apps, consulting real estate professionals, or knocking on the front door and asking. If your interest is strong, you have mortgage preapproval and an irresistible offer, it’s worth identifying and contacting the owner.
Erik J. Martin
Erik J. Martin is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and a freelance writer whose articles have been featured in AARP: The Magazine, Reader's Digest, The Costco Connection, The Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and other publications. He often writes on topics related to real estate, personal finance, technology, health care, insurance and entertainment. He also publishes several blogs, including Martinspiration.com and Cineversegroup.com, and hosts the Cineversary podcast.
