The assessor’s parcel number (APN) is an essential component of the real estate negotiation in relation to state records. This property APN gets recorded on the parcel maps of the county for the purpose of demarcating property lines, tax assessments, exact property location, and deed information. If you need to find the APN of a particular property, here are the five steps that you should take.
Step 1:Â Do I know what the parcel number looks like?
The first step to finding the property APN is to know what the property APN looks like. All parcel numbers contain at least three sets of numbers. The first set of numbers corresponds to the map booking number; the second number is the book’s page number, and the third set that you will find is the actual parcel number. For lots that are not separate, unattached single family units, there is a fourth set of numbers. For condos, duplexes, and apartments, each individual unit will have its own set of numbers to denote it separately from its fellows in the structure.
Step 2: Have I checked my property tax bill?
Once you know what the property APN looks like, you can find it on your property tax bill. The APN is most likely placed near to your basic ID information around the top part of the first page. If you cannot find it here for some reason, then you may also be able to find it on the part of the bill that you tear off and return with your tax payment. The number will be denoted directly on the bill as the assessor’s parcel number, the parcel number, or the APN.
Step 3: Have I reviewed by Deed of Trust?
Your Deed of Trust should also have the property APN on it along with other paperwork that you receive at the closing table. The deed is usually require to have the property APN on it. Title reports and the home appraisal are usually required to have the property APN on them as well. It will be listed in the same way as it is listed on your property tax bill, as the parcel number, the APN, or the assessor’s parcel number. All of these documents should be kept near to each other after the purchase of your home, because some templates for all three of these documents do not include the property APN.
Step 4: Have I checked the county assessor’s website?
If you find that the property APN is not on any of the documents above, then you may be able to find the number from the website of the county assessor. Depending on the county that the property is in, the website might have a direct online search tool under many different names. Parcel numbers are not always called parcel numbers on these websites; they may be referred to under the heading of “property tax information,” “real estate property search,” or “parcel maps.” There is a distinct advantage with these websites: You will be able to search out other information about a property that you know nothing about at the same time in a convenient way.
On many of the county assessor’s websites, you will be able to search out a property APN by many other pieces of information. You will need to have your basic identifying information for the website such as your name, address, and tax ID number. If your county does not have a website, you can usually go directly to the physical office of your county assessor or your property tax department office. These offices are government offices, and they are usually open during normal business hours. These offices will have the parcel information on a physical map. You may have to make an appointment in order to go down to the physical office like this, so call the office before you go. Some counties charge a small nominal fee for access to these parcel maps, so ask about any possible charges before getting behind the wheel to drive there.
Step 5: Do I have a relationship with an informed real estate professional?
If you cannot find your property APN on any of your documents, on the Internet, or by going by the county assessor’s office in person, then you may have to look to the private real estate industry. Dues paying real estate pros have access to centralized property records that the average person does not. You may be able to find the information that you need more quickly by using this method; however, most people do not like the sales pitches that may come along with these meetings.
Regardless, real estate pros have the ability to access information much more quickly than anyone else. If you have a realtor whom you already trust, then go to them first.
2 Point Highlight
All of these documents should be kept near to each other after the purchase of your home, because some templates for all three of these documents do not include the property APN.
Some counties charge a small nominal fee for access to these parcel maps, so ask about any possible charges before getting behind the wheel to drive there.
