Finding out how much equity is owned in a property

[Jonathan Morrell]

I see alot of advice here to send out direct mail/market to various groups.  One group often mentioned is homeowners who own a property free and clear or who have alot of equity in a property.  How exactly are people getting that information.  Are you looking at the sales price and estimating? I looked at my property assessor's site and I only see last sales price.  I imagine people can't be running title searches on hundreds of properties.  I'm wondering how everyone is getting this information?