If you were going to hire an employee, you would probably do a background check. So maybe you should do the same thing when you get interested in a house. Of course, if you buy the house, the title company will protect you from any problems when you close. But perhaps you want to head off any problems by doing the research early.

What Records To Look For

When researching a home, it is highly recommended to research the following public records:
•Tax liens
•Warranty deeds
•Property tax records
•Foreclosures
•Date the home was built
•Past home prices

You can also determine if work was done on the property without a permit that could affect the square footage, price, and other details of the home. It is also recommended to research the neighborhood the home is in to make sure it is an area that meets your needs and is safe. The location of the home has a big impact on its value.

Check The Local City Or County Department

Your local city or county department like the courthouse is an excellent way to check a home’s public records like lien and tax information. While these records are public, you may have to fill out some paperwork and a knowledgeable employee will help you with your search.

Take Advantage Of Reputable Internet Resources

If you are not able to see a home’s public records online, reputable home search sites like Zillow and Realtor will have details like foreclosures, past selling prices, and improvements to the home listed. Just remember to tread carefully here—information on a home may not be up to date, so double check.

Ask Your Real Estate Agent

Your real estate agent is an excellent resource for checking a home’s public records and understanding what you need to keep an eye out for. They have access to their own in-depth resources like:
•MLS data
•Tax assessor records
•Title company databases

For MLS especially, when realtors become a realtor, they must activate their license and join their local MLS service so they can access property details, analyze market trends, and see home listings before they go on the market.

When researching a potential home, don’t be shy. Simply ask your agent and local courthouse or other appropriate party about the steps needed to access a home’s public record.

Ruth Schoenherr is a mortgage broker who will help you find home loans in the Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Safety Harbor, St Petersburg and Tampa Bay area. For more information, go to her web site at www.ClearwaterMortgageBroker.net