How to Determine the Owner of a House or Building
Whether you're buying a house, selling a property, or simply curious about who owns a particular building, knowing how to determine the owner is essential. In this article, we will explore various methods and resources to find out who owns a house or building, from visiting city hall to using online databases.
Methods to Find the Owner of a House or Building
Finding out the owner of a house or building can be surprisingly easy or require some research, depending on the location and accessibility of records. Here are several methods you can use:
1. Visit City Hall or County Assessor's Office
The most straightforward way to find out who owns a property is to visit the local government office. Both city halls and county assessors' offices have detailed records of property ownership. Simply provide the address of the property, and they will pull up the information for you.
2. Use Online Databases and Websites
Many counties and states have online databases that provide detailed property information, including the owner's name, purchase date, property taxes, and more. Websites such as the county assessor's site, property tax databases, and specialized real estate platforms can provide valuable information. Some information may require a fee, while others are available for free.
3. Contact a Real Estate Agent
Real estate agents often have access to databases such as GeoWarehouse, which can help you find property ownership information for a small fee. Real estate agents can be a valuable resource for in-depth research.
4. Questionable Ownership Situations
In some cases, the property owner may be listed as an LLC or a business entity, making it more challenging to trace the true owner. These situations can often be resolved by asking for more information. For example, an LLC may have been set up by a specific attorney, and further research can reveal this information.
Common Challenges in Finding the Owner
While finding the owner of a property can be relatively simple, there are some challenges to be aware of:
1. Unique Names Make It Harder
If the name of the owner is common, it may be difficult to determine the correct person. For example, if the owner's name is “Smith, John,” it may be challenging to narrow down the correct John Smith. Unique names make it easier to identify the correct owner.
2. Private Ownership Information
In some regions, accessing detailed ownership information may require proprietary access or a fee. This can make the research process more difficult, especially if you are not familiar with the local resources.
3. Legal Entities and LLCs
When the owner is listed as a legal entity such as an LLC, corporation, or trust, it can be harder to trace the true owner. In such cases, you may need to do a deeper dive into the legal documents to find the person behind the entity. Contacting a real estate attorney or using public records can help unravel the mystery.
State-Specific Resources
Depending on the state, there may be additional resources available to help you determine the owner of a property:
Ohio Example
In Ohio, and probably in other states as well, you can access a comprehensive table of all properties in the state. This table provides you with the owner's name, property tax amount, a picture of the front of the property, and a sketch showing the house's location and any additional features. You can use this information to determine the owner more easily.
Conclusion
While finding the owner of a house or building can be straightforward, it often requires a bit of research and sometimes access to specialized databases or offices. By knowing the available resources and methods, you can more easily determine the true owner of a property. Whether you need this information for legal, financial, or personal reasons, the steps outlined in this article will guide you through the process.