Discovering a land owners identity?

[Bell]

Ok so lets say youve done your research and found a great spot, but its in the middle of nowhere and you dont know who owns it. How do you find out? Ive heard folks talk about HCad, but dunno??

 

[DirtFlipper]

Start with the county that it's in (assuming U.S. here), and see if they have a web site. From there, look to see if they have searchable property records and just look it up. If not, you'll have to go to the County Seat, the Assessor's office, and look it up in person from their records. It's public info.

Now, all you may get is a name and address. Then you have to find a phone number, or if an address, go try to visit them in person. Or the address could be a P.O. Box, in which case asking around, or just writing them. Or the land may be owned by a corporation/company. Don't let that put you off though. Find their contact info and work your way to someone who is knowledgable about the property before asking.

Good luck!
DirtFlipper

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Here in Pa. all of our counties have the aforementioned office for each county...Knock on a few doors in area as you may get lucky and if in a desolated area the local store is a good start...
Deeds office has maps so find a couple landmarks like intersecting roads, schools, churches etc.
In my neck of the woods all is considered to be owned by someone so no signs rel no tresspassing is not a free pass to hunt...

 

[Hart-IN]

Bell, You can also try searching the web for a GIS (Geographic Information System) for your county. This is sometimes what counties call the searchable property records that DirtFlipper mentioned. Here's a link for one such system as an example. Good luck and HH.

http://beacon.schneidercorp.com/

 

[Eddie in Poulsbo]

I had a situation where I found out where an old picnic grove use to be and it's on farmland now. I got ahold of a guy who worked for the city close by who worked on the weed control board. I did have an old map with the section numbers on it and gave him the section where the grove was at. He did some research and found out the property was owned by a lady in Texas. Got her phone number and address, but could never get a hold of her. Talked with this fellow again and he went out of his way and found out a local farmer was leasing the property. Got this guys number and called him. Asked if it was ok to detect on the property and he said sure. He even opened up the gate to the property for me as he didn't know if he would be around or not. Guess you have to talk to the right people and sometimes it all works out for the best. Good luck and HH.

Eddie

 

[Bell]

Thanks guys. Found him on the county website just as quick as that. Now I just gotta work up the nerve to drive out there and ask him.

 

[king-ghidorah]

Assessor's Database - most states have them online.

 

[LabradorBob]

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?69,1170972