How do I find public records for real estate transactions?

Question: "I read somewhere that it's a good idea to look at public records for real estate transactions in my area [before buying a home]. How is this information helpful, and were can I find public records like this?"

This kind of information can help you evaluate your local real estate market. In particular, it shows you what houses are selling for in your area. This kind of research allows you put the seller's asking price into perspective.

Whenever a home is sold in the U.S., the transaction becomes a matter of public record. This means it's available to anyone who requests it through the proper channels.

If you're working with an agent, he or she will probably research public records for real estate sales in your target area. You can also obtain this information for yourself, by visiting the county office where it's recorded. This is usually the county courthouse building, or the tax appraiser's office. You can do a Google search to figure out where to go. It's pretty simple.

Here's a positive trend that's relevant to your question. Over the last few years, a lot of county offices have been putting search tools on their websites for public records and other data. This allows you to search for information relating to home sales in your area. Like I said, the easiest way to find this kind of data is by using Google. Be sure to include your county in the search -- that's the level of government that applies here.

Real Estate Websites That Gather Public Records

In the past, if you wanted this kind of information, you had to drive down to the appropriate county office to research it. These days, you can find public record of real estate transactions online, through a variety of websites. Some of the websites have more current data than others. Even if the data is a couple of weeks old, you can't beat the convenience of this strategy. You can simply visit a website, enter some address information, and then see a map of recent sales in the area. It's a great research tool for home buyers.

You can check out Zillow.com and HomeGain.com for starters. There are several other sites like these online, but they may not have the freshest data. Public records that are more than three months old aren't very helpful, because a lot might have changed in that time. So start with the two sites I've recommended.

I consider this a necessary form of research, for anyone planning to buy a home. It's a great way to get a sense of where your market is, what homes are selling for, etc. This is the value of public records of real estate sales. It gives you the insight you need to make smart buying decisions. Even if your agent gathers this kind of information for you, you'll still benefit from doing your own research. It's a great learning experience.

Related articles:
How do I find home prices in my neighborhood?
What are real estate comps and how do I find them?

I hope this article answers your question. Good luck with your home search, and thanks for stopping by.