How can you tell if a property has a lien/mortgage?

Question

Hi All,

First off, thanks to everyone that has taken the time to respond to my posts.  I have gotten so much great information from all of you.

I'm working on a duplex deal in Ogden and the owner mentioned that its been in his family since his grandmother owned it.  Made me wonder if he owns it outright so I can consider some creative financing options.

I've been using local assessor sites to determine taxes for properties but haven't seen anything about whether or not there is a lien/mortgage against a property.  Is that something you can find out through the county assessor?  If not, any ideas on where to go to see that info?

Account Closed · Answer

Alan,

You have received many great info on how to resolve the issues that you have presented (" ... the owner mentioned that its been in his family since his grandmother owned it") make sure that the tittle search goes back to the time that his grandmother owned it ... May I ask you to keep the group informed as to the method you used and the outcome?  Happy investing!

Scott Rabin · Answer

Or call an escrow officer.  Problem solved.

Alan Walker · Answer

Thanks @Caleb Rigby and Chris Mason !

I'll reach out to my agent.  I was at a friend's house for dinner last night and randomly met two different title company owners.  I'll be sure to start building some relationships with them for the future.

William Hochstedler · Answer

Hi @Alan Walker

What you are looking for from a title company is called a property profile.  It will have tax information, a property description including zoning, year built, square footage (usually above ground), and acreage.  The second part is an abstract that will include a history of title that usually only goes back to the 1980's or so.  Sometimes you will also get a plat and a builders card which is the assessment methodology.

Depending on the county, some or all of this information is online and open to the public:

Salt Lake - ownership info, tax info, property description.  No abstract

Utah - all info

Davis - very little--tax info and recipient

Weber - ownership info, tax info, property description.  No abstract

All information is free if you go into the recorder's office.  Title companies subscribe to fee based systems that have the detailed information as well.  I subscribe to these services in Weber and Cache.

Good luck.

Ryan E. · Answer

@Alan Walker I think you might be able to go to the county courthouse too and have someone there pull it for you. I feel like I've read that somewhere but I have yet to attempt it and not sure if Weber co does it or if you'd have to pay.

Chris Mason · Answer

@Alan Walker, your agent can pull a title report in like 30 seconds.

@Caleb Rigby's approach could also work. Basically you'd be asking a title company for access to the same info they give out to any realtor/lender/etc whose business they want for free.

Caleb Rigby · Answer

Hey Alan, I don't believe any Weber County site will tell you that information. But, a good title company should be able to look that up and see if there are any liens on the property. Do you have one in mind that you would like to work with in the future? I know there was at least one lady from the BP meeting that worked for a title company.

Title companies want more work, so if you approach them and say 'I'll bring x amount of my work to you guys if you cut me a deal on these title searches,' I think there might be 1 or 2 that are hungry enough for more work.

If you can't find anyone, I can recommend a great guy in Layton (my guy) that could do this for you if you close with him. Let me know. Good luck.