Sale History Of A Home: 5 Steps To Find Info On Any Property

When the time is right for you to buy a home you might want to learn a little bit about its history. The sale history of a home can provide valuable insights about the home’s past. From previous sale prices to the number of owners, when you know the sale history of a home, you can make an informed decision about whether to make a bid or walk away.

How Can I Discover The Sale History Of A Home?

In today’s digital world the sale history of a home is readily available online. Accessing this information will require you to complete the following five steps.

• Conduct An Online Property Record Search: An online property record search can be conducted through a number of trusted Real Estate websites, including Movoto. When you search for the online property record you can gain insight into the various reasons that a home might be for sale. For example you might discover that the home was previously withdrawn from the market and recently placed back on as a new listing. You can also find out how long the seller has owned the home, and if they have conducted any home improvement projects that required a permit. These pertinent facts can help you to better determine if the home looks like it will be a sound Real Estate investment.

• Visit The Registry Of Deeds And Public Records: Every county in the United States should have a registry of deeds or a public records center. The deed of the home will have been recorded when the home was sold. Searching for the deed or public record of the home is as easy as visiting the local office. Typically the deeds will be filed according to the address of the property or under the property owner’s name. Accessing the a property deed and ordering copies will be dependent on the county’s rules and regulations.

• Enlist The Help Of Your Real Estate Agent: Through his or her intimate knowledge of the local Real Estate market, your Realtor will be well-equipped to help you research and understand the sale history of a home. One of the easiest ways that a Realtor can learn about a home’s history is through the MLS. The MLS is a national registry that lists for sale homes and provides valuable information on each home. A typical MLS listing will include the selling price, original asking price, recent renovations or home improvement projects, number of days on the market, and a history of the property. It is important to note that you should ask your Realtor for their copy of the MLS report, not a customer copy. The customer copy of an MLS report will typically reveal the home’s current listing information, however it won’t include the sale history of the home.

• Complete A Title Company Property Search: If you want to learn more about the history of a home, then you can call the local title company and ask to speak to a customer service representative. Many title companies will give you a free property profile in an effort to win your future business. Be sure to ask for copies of mortgages and property deeds; this information will help you to better understand the sale history of the home.

• Speak With The Owners: One of the last steps that you can take to learn more about the sale history of a home is to speak with the current owners. If they are willing, the current owners will be able to provide you with recent history of the home. They might also give you additional insights into the reasons why they completed any renovations or landscaping improvements to the home.

Through the above five steps you can gain valuable insights into the sale history of the home you wish to purchase.

What Are The Benefits To Knowing The History Of My Home?

Understanding the history of a home is an important step in the Real Estate journey. This vital step provides you with the simultaneous benefit of knowing more information, before you make a life-changing financial decision. With the right research you can better determine if the home fits the profile of a long term Real Estate investment, or if it is a short-term house that tends to be flipped within a year or two. The sale history of a home can also help you to better understand the home’s appraisal value, while also determining if the value of the home has remained steady throughout its lifetime. Remember that while knowledge is power, you should discuss your findings with your trusted Real Estate agent before you decide to whether you are going to walk away or purchase the home.

2 Point Highlight

1) From previous sale prices to the number of owners, when you know the sale history of a home, you can make an informed decision about whether to make a bid or walk away.

2) With the right research you can better determine if the home fits the profile of a long term Real Estate investment, or if it is a short-term house that tends to be flipped within a year or two.