How To Search For Property Records In Houston

Learn Everything About Your Houston Property

Are you buying a house? Every property has its unique history. And, undoubtedly, you want to learn everything there is to know about the place you'll buy.

But, if you've never researched public records, you're probably unsure where to begin. Searching through decades of property data could be challenging, especially if you have no idea where to look and what you'll find.

Here's how to research and examine online and offline property records — and what you should investigate.

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What Information Do Property Records Provide?
How To Search For Property Records?
Property Records F.A.Q.s.

What Information Do Property Records Provide?

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There's a lot to learn from property records, and you might be shocked at how much history and data there is to discover.

When there is any significant change in a property's ownership, it's documented here in Houston. Notable changes include ownership sales or transfers, tax liens, and property size changes.

Property records also show personal details on former owners, titles, divorce, and bankruptcy.

A thorough search may reveal property restrictions, original home builders, and even old photos.

The Houston Metropolitan Research Center has photos of different Houston Suburbs, old floorplans, and vintage photos of the Heights.

Sales History Online

Sales history is easily found in online home search platforms or a recorder's office. The office usually provides electronic and physical files for your search.

The records contain information on the property, like; the previous owner, old price, when they bought it, and the current remaining mortgage bill.

Taxation History

Property tax records are stored to ensure that taxes have been collected and that the payment was accurate to the appraised value. The assessed value is re-recorded when a property is sold based on the new appraisal. The new value must be higher than the previous value; otherwise, it has depreciated.

Researching a property's tax history will reveal its value at the time of assessment, prior taxes paid, due taxes (if any), and if there are any claims on the property.

Look out for direct assessments as they add a thousand dollars in ownership costs yearly. Such taxes include Mello Roos or Infrastructure tax and bonds; they are directly imposed on the homeowners. If you want to learn if the property you're buying has Mello Roos, contact us, and we'll gladly assist you.

If there are liens or claims on the property, your lender may refuse to authorize a mortgage loan. You'll need to resolve the matter with the seller as quickly as possible - you don't want to assume their liability!

If the house dates way back, you may not discover everything you want online. So, paying a visit to the assessor's office is worth it.

One thing to remember when you search is that names are occasionally put inaccurately into the database, so try other spellings. For example, if you're searching for a hyphenated name or has a plural designation, such as "Angela Rivers-John," consider the following variations:

Angela Rivers-John
Angela River-John
Angela John-Rivers
Angela John-River
Angela John
Angela Rivers
Angela River

Deed History

You may be able to search these offices online. Still, it would help if you visited the office to get the entire history and obtain any actual documents.

Look for registered encumbrances, such as liens or easements. An easement is a privilege granted to one party to utilize the land of another. Utility easements are commonly established in subdivisions; you allow the utility service to use your land. Another example would be if your house spans a public road – the easement is the section of your property accessible to the public on the roadway.

Banks can claim your house by putting a "Lien" on your property. For example, the bank has a claim or lien against your property until you fully pay your mortgage payments. If you don't, they have the right to repossess your property.

Information You Can Find In A Deed History:

Current and former owners
Lot size
Subdivision of land
District Council
Information on zoning
The final selling price
Appraised improvement value and assessed land value
The total number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage
Birth and death, marriage and divorce

Copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death records are usually accessible from your county clerk or recorder. Some of this data may reveal a seller's reason for selling. For example, if you find that your sellers are getting divorced, they may want to sell quickly to move on with their life.

However, be cautious when utilizing this personal information during negotiations; it might backfire. In these scenarios, an experienced agent may assist you in navigating the bargaining process.

Knowing the seller's motivation, you can utilize it in talks. If they've defaulted on a loan, if the property has a lien or claim on it, or if they're in foreclosure, all of that helps in a classic market negotiation.

How To Search For Property Records?

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It takes a long process to go through property records. You'll need to channel your focus and time, especially if you want a thorough search. This process includes looking both online and in person.

1. Determine Where To Find The Records

To begin, determine who is in charge of the property records in the area where the residence is located. They'll want to contact whatever office owns the land records first.

Several locations or entities preserve county records:

Courthouse for the county
The county clerk and recorder's office
The city hall
Other county or municipal departments

You won't have to go far because most agencies keep their data online, especially in Houston.

Although, the older the region, the more in-person investigation would be required. You can use this search to determine which office owns the records.

2. Complete The Details Needed

To search, you'll need the property's address, lot number, and the current seller's name.

Are the owners the only individuals or entities who own the property?
Does the advertised square footage correspond to what's on the record?
Has the seller declared bankruptcy?

Note that the square footage is the property record issue that often comes up. The tax records may have specific square footage posted, and the agent may have utterly different square footage listed.

It usually happens because the owner paid for an addition to the house but didn't get the permits or didn't report it.

3. Gather The Reports

Unless you're buying in a rural location where records aren't available online, you should be able to get what you need online. If this is the case, go to the recorder and tell them you want to look at the home's tax or deed history. You may also indicate that you have a vital record request for birth, marriage, divorce, or death information.

4. Pay Fees

There are costs (typically small) for copying data from the facilities; those are stated online. This research will not break the bank and is the most inexpensive part of the home-buying process.

If no records are available online, call the assessor or recorder to know how much they charge for copies and acceptable means of payment.

Additional searches

Some cities may include a database of historical maps, which may consist of images of residences from the past.

Neighbors are also an excellent source of information about a home's history and prior owners. Especially for those who have lived on the block for a long time may be an excellent source of knowledge that you won't find anywhere else.

If you need help with your search, contact us, The Houston Properties Team, and we'll happily assist you with your search.

Property Records F.A.Q.s.

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When is a property search conducted when buying a home?

A title firm typically does a title search during the escrow procedure.

Is it necessary to be in escrow on a property to know its history?

No. Property information is public record and may be viewed anytime by anybody willing to spend the time and pay the required costs.

What is the distinction between a title and a deed?

The legal right of ownership over a particular property is referred to as a property's title. A deed is a legal document in which ownership is transferred from seller to buyer.

What else should I look into besides property records?

You may acquire a sense of the neighborhood's safety by extensively reading local criminal records and flooded area in Houston.

What happens if I don't like what I find?

If the problems were identified during escrow, discuss this with your agent. Include the specifics of acquiring a clear title from the seller to evaluate whether you want to proceed with the purchase. The specifics include financial or legal repercussions and length of time to resolve.

Searching for title and property records may be time-consuming and perplexing. If you don't want to do everything yourself, contact us, and we'll help you with your search!