How to Find Your House History Online: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the history of your home is a crucial part of owning a property. From its original construction date to previous owners and changes in ownership, there is much to learn about your house. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to find your house history online, providing you with a thorough understanding of your property's past.
Official Government Records and Websites
One of the most reliable ways to uncover the history of your home is through the official records maintained by your town or county government. You can access these records either in person or online. For online access, visit the county courthouse's website. Most counties now have their land records digitized, making it easier to search for your property's history.
If you are unsure of your parcel or plot information, you can find it by entering your address on the county website. Once you have this information, you can request a copy of your deed if needed, and this usually requires a small fee. Additionally, the recorder's deed section provides you with information on previous owners since the original construction date up to the current owner.
Another key resource is the local assessor of property. Entering the address of the property on their website should lead you to a "history" section where you can see all the sales, the amounts paid, and the various sellers and buyers. This information can be incredibly valuable for understanding how the value of your property has changed over time.
Online Real Estate Websites and Services
Online real estate platforms such as Zillow can be a great starting point for finding information about your home's history. When you visit the Zillow page for your property, scroll down to the bottom to see a timeline of all the previous owners and when the house changed hands. This can give you a quick overview of the history without having to access more detailed records.
For a more detailed and official record, consider visiting the appraiser's website for your local county. Here, you can find the construction date of your home and its past taxation history. This information can be crucial for understanding the context of your property's development over time.
Hiring a Realtor or Title Company
Real estate professionals can also provide valuable insights into the history of your home. Depending on the local market and the specific needs of the realtor, they may be able to access a more extensive and detailed property history for free. This data is often provided by title companies, which supply this information to real estate agents in exchange for the expectation that the agent will purchase property insurance from the company in the future.
If you purchased your home with a mortgage, the mortgage holder likely required you to undergo a title search and obtain title insurance. If you do not already have a copy of the title search, you can request it from the county courthouse or obtain it through a title company. Title searches can be particularly interesting, as they often reveal details about the property, such as its original use, any changes in ownership, and even anecdotes about the property's past.
For instance, a title search on my property revealed that during the New Deal in the 1930s, the federal government bought 30-odd empty acres where my subdivision now stands. The government initially intended to sell 3 to 5-acre homesites to families who could raise most of their food on the land but still live close to a town for work. Due to various unforeseen circumstances, the plan was never fully implemented, and the land changed hands several times over decades before being developed into a subdivision.
Verifiable Real-Life Stories
The story of the property can sometimes be as fascinating as the facts themselves. For example, after buying a foreclosure house, a neighbor told me that the previous owner was in prison because the man she tried to hire to kill her husband was an undercover cop. The husband later returned to work as a government contractor in Iraq or Afghanistan, thinking it was safer for him there.
These stories, while verifying the authenticity of the property's history, also highlight the human element behind the digits and deeds. Understanding the history of your home not only adds value to your property but also makes it a more meaningful investment.
Whether you're looking for a simple history of the house, detailed ownership information, or intriguing personal anecdotes, these resources can help you uncover the full picture of your property's past. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can become a well-informed homeowner and make the most of the valuable information available to you.