Tax Deed Title Search: A Step-by-Step Guide to Investigating Property Ownership

YouTube video

Introduction

Are you interested in purchasing a property at a tax sale or conducting research on a specific property? If so, you’ll need to know how to search for title information online. In this article, we will guide you through the process of conducting a tax deed title search using a real example. By following these steps, you’ll be able to gather essential information about a property’s ownership and any potential liens or encumbrances.

Key Points:

  1. Start by visiting the auditor’s or tax assessor’s website for the county where the property is located. In this example, we will be using the Hamilton County Auditor online website in Cincinnati, Ohio.

  2. Input the address of the property you wish to research. If the address doesn’t yield results, try using the street name or abbreviations.

  3. Look for the parcel ID, as this will be the most important information for legal documents and tax sales.

  4. Identify the subdivision of the property, which can usually be found on the property description page.

  5. Determine whether you need to search using the city or county name. In this case, it is Hamilton County, Ohio.

  6. Most counties have an online database where you can search for property records using different methods, such as grantor/grantee search or real property records search. If the information is not readily available online, consider contacting the county recorder’s office for assistance.

  7. Use the owner’s name and address to conduct a search in the county’s property records database.

  8. Search for the owner’s name as both a seller/borrower and a buyer/lender to gather comprehensive information.

  9. Review the search results, including the date recorded, document type, document number, and a brief description.

  10. Look for any liens, mortgages, releases, or assignments associated with the property. This will give you a better understanding of its financial history.

  11. Verify if there are any IRS liens or corporate names associated with the property.

  12. If you are purchasing a property at a tax sale, ensure that the relevant banks and financial institutions have been notified by the county.

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Start by visiting the Hamilton County Auditor online website, or the equivalent in your county, to initiate the tax deed title search process.

  2. Input the property address, such as “573 Grand Avenue,” into the search bar. If the address doesn’t yield results, try variations like “573 Grand Ave.”

  3. Once you have found the property, review the displayed information, including the owner’s name, address, and parcel ID.

  4. Note the subdivision of the property, which can usually be found under the property description. In this case, it is the “Allvoice and Stewart Trust Subdivision.”

  5. Conduct a search using the county name instead of the city name. For example, search for “Hamilton County, Ohio” to access comprehensive property records.

  6. Explore the different search options available on the county’s property records database. Some common options include grantor/grantee search and real property records search.

  7. Use the owner’s name (both as a seller/borrower and a buyer/lender) and address to conduct a search in the county’s property records.

  8. Review the search results, paying close attention to the date recorded, document type, document number, and a brief description of each document.

  9. Look for any liens, mortgages, releases, or assignments associated with the property. These documents will provide valuable information about the property’s financial history.

  10. Verify if there are any IRS liens or corporate names associated with the property.

  11. If you are purchasing the property at a tax sale, make sure that the relevant financial institutions have been properly notified by the county.

  12. Open any relevant documents to gather more detailed information about the property’s ownership history and any potential liens or encumbrances.

Conclusion

Conducting a tax deed title search is an essential step in the process of purchasing a property or conducting research on a specific property. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this article, you will be able to gather crucial information about a property’s ownership, financial history, and potential liens. Remember to always consult the auditor’s or tax assessor’s website for the county where the property is located, as well as any other relevant sources, to ensure comprehensive research. Good luck with your tax deed title search journey!

(Image source: pixabay.com)

Leave a Comment