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Property Report Guide: Searches and Insights
What searches can I do? What’s included?
With Property Focus, you can search over 160 million residential, commercial and industrial addresses across the United States. Each property report provides up-to-date information including:
- Ownership History: View past and current ownership details, including the duration of ownership and any transfers of the property title.
- Neighborhood Information: Access insights into the surrounding area, including school ratings and neighbor information.
- Financial Transaction History: Get a comprehensive overview of financial transactions related to the property, such as sale prices, mortgage details, and any liens or foreclosures.
- Building Attributes: Learn about the property’s physical characteristics, including square footage, lot size, year built, number of rooms, and more.
- View Residents and Owner Contact Information: See current and previous residents' names, as well as owner contact details.
- Monitor Reports for Changes: Set up monitoring alerts to stay informed about any changes to a property, including updates in ownership, value changes, or new transactions.
Where does the information in Property Focus reports come from?
Property Focus partners with multiple trusted, industry-leading data providers to ensure our reports are up-to-date and accurate. By sourcing data from both public records and specialized third-party providers, we ensure that our reports are as comprehensive and informative as possible.
Data found in reports is frequently updated, but the availability of historical data varies by provider. Because we utilize a wide range of data sources, the frequency of updates for each individual data point will vary and historical coverage may differ for each.
We take pride in sourcing only the most reliable information, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
How do I download a report?
To download a report, simply navigate to the report page and look for the download icon near the top of the screen. Clicking this icon will allow you to download the report as a PDF file, which you can save or share as needed.
Why should I monitor a report?
Monitoring a report keeps you up-to-date on any changes to the property or people information of the reports
you want to keep an eye on. By toggling the monitoring switch to the position on any
report
page,
you'll automatically receive notifications when there are updates or new details added to the report you're
tracking.
This feature allows you to monitor property or owner reports, making it easy to stay informed about multiple properties and people. Whenever we detect changes you'll receive an email alert so you can act quickly and stay informed without manually logging into the platform.
Understanding the Property Timeline
Whether you're a buyer, seller, or investor, the property timeline provides deep insights that can inform your real estate decisions. The property timeline report feature offers a comprehensive view of a property’s financial history, giving you incredible insight into its ownership and transactional past.
Here’s what you can expect to find in the property timeline:
- Sale Events: View detailed information about every sale, including the sale date, sale price, and details about the buyer and seller. This helps you understand when the property changed hands and at what value.
- Loan and Mortgage Information: See details of loans tied to the property, including loan types, terms, and lenders. This can reveal the financing strategies used by previous owners, such as whether the property was purchased with a conventional mortgage, cash, or other loan types.
- Deed Types: Understand the types of deeds involved in each transaction, whether they are warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, or others, providing further clarity into the legal aspects of the transfer.
- Refinancing Events: Track any refinancing activity, including new loan terms or lenders involved, helping you get a more complete picture of how the property’s financing has evolved.
This unique view of historical transactions allows you to analyze a property’s full ownership history and financial trajectory, giving you valuable context for understanding its current value and potential future trends.
Can I see the estimated value of my property?
Yes, Property Focus provides estimated market values where available. The Estimated Market Value in Property Focus reports is based on recent sales of similar properties in the area, current market conditions, and other relevant factors. These estimates are often calculated using data from professional appraisers and real estate agents.
In addition to the current estimated value, we also offer an Estimated Sales Range, giving you a broader perspective of what your property could potentially sell for. This range is based on fluctuations in market trends and other factors that might impact pricing.
Our reports also include a timeline of estimated market values, allowing you to view historical trends and track how your property's value has changed over time. This can help you better understand long-term market shifts and make informed decisions about your property’s future.
You can also view the market values of neighboring properties, giving you insight into the broader local real estate landscape and how your property compares.
Is the estimated value what I should list my house for?
The estimated value provided in property reports is based on current market conditions, comparable sales, and other relevant factors. While it is often determined using data from professional appraisers or real estate agents, it is still just an estimate and should only be used as a reference point.
Always consult with a real estate professional before listing your property or engaging in any real estate transaction to get an accurate valuation and tailored advice.
Is the estimated value what I should buy a house for?
In a word, no. The estimated market value provided by Property Focus is based on current market conditions, recent sales of comparable properties, and other relevant factors. While these estimates are often determined using data from professional appraisers or real estate agents, they are just that: estimates. They should only be used as a reference.
It's important to understand that the actual purchase price of a home can vary due to negotiations, property condition, and other unique factors not reflected in the estimate. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before engaging in any real estate transaction. They can provide certified advice, ask the right questions, and guide you through the complexities of buying or selling a property.
Understanding the Market Value Chart
The Market Value Chart in property reports provides a timeline of the property’s Estimated Market Value over several years. This estimate, updated monthly, is based on historical market conditions, comparable sales, and input from professional appraisers or real estate agents.
- Estimated Market Value Timeline: The chart shows monthly data points reflecting the property's value, helping you track its fluctuations over time.
- High and Low Range of Estimates: Alongside the main estimate, you'll see the high and low range values, which represent possible variations in the property’s value based on historical trends and market conditions.
- Confidence Rating: The confidence rating shows the reliability of the estimated market value. A higher confidence rating indicates greater certainty in the accuracy of the estimate.
Why aren’t I seeing that I’m the owner of a property that I just purchased?
Ownership information may not appear immediately due to the varying update frequencies of our data providers. While some data points are updated daily, others often rely on updates from government agencies. These agencies can have variable processing times, sometimes causing delays in reflecting new ownership information.
If you've recently purchased a property, it may take some time for the updated ownership details to be processed and displayed in our system. Rest assured, the information will be updated as soon as it becomes available from the relevant sources.
What are People Reports?
People reports provide detailed information about individuals connected to a property you're researching, including neighbors, owners, sellers, and current or past residents. These reports help you gain a more thorough understanding of the people associated with a property, whether you're looking to reach out to a homeowner, contact a landlord, assess a neighborhood, or gather insights on the seller. People reports make it easier to communicate with them directly when necessary. These reports are especially useful for buyers, investors, or agents looking to engage with key stakeholders in a real estate transaction.
How do I connect with Owners?
To connect with property owners, navigate to a people report from any property report page. These reports provide detailed contact information when available for owners, neighbors, and residents associated with the property you're researching.
What does assessed value mean?
The assessed value is the County Assessor's estimate of a property's worth, which is used primarily to calculate property taxes. This value is determined by several factors, including the property’s location, size, condition, and nearby comparable properties.
It is made up of two components: the land value and the improvement value which is the calculated value of any buildings or renovations on the property. These two amounts are added together to create the total assessed property value.
Why is the assessed value different from the estimated value?
The assessed value and estimated value serve different purposes, which is why they can differ significantly.
- Assessed Value: This is determined by the County Assessor to determine property taxes. It is based on factors like the land value, improvements (such as buildings or renovations), and other criteria specific to tax assessment. The assessed value tends to be more stable and may not be updated as frequently as the property market fluctuates. It often lags behind the actual market value of the property.
- Estimated Value: This reflects what a property might sell for in the current market. It is determined using real estate market conditions, recent sales of comparable properties, and other relevant data. Estimated values are generally more dynamic and can change quickly with market trends, making them more reflective of a property's current worth in the eyes of buyers and sellers.
In short, the assessed value is primarily used for tax purposes, while the estimated value gives a better sense of what the property could sell for in the open market.
Is there a lien on my/this address?
To check if there is a lien on a property, navigate to the property report and go to the Liens at Address section. This section helps you understand the legal and financial obligations tied to the property. Here, you’ll find detailed information about any existing liens, including the lien amount, court case number, and filing type, along with other relevant details. You can also view any lien release information if applicable.