There are several reasons why you may be interested in the sale price of a piece of property. If you are looking to buy in the same area or development, it can give you an idea of what you could expect to pay for a similar home, and if you already live in the area, it could give you an idea of what your property is worth in today’s market.
Make Sure You Have the Correct Property Information Before Starting Your Search
No matter which resource you decide to use to find out the sale price of a property, you must have the proper information needed for the search. This includes the exact street address, the apartment number, if it has one, the town and the zip code of the property in question.
Local Newspapers Sometimes List Property Sales
If your local newspaper has a real estate section you may be able to find the details of the sale there, especially if the sale was recent. Older sales may require you to go through back issues. This could be either online or at your local library.
Local Government Web Sites May List Property Sales
Provided your local government has a Web site it may have a listing of home sales in the district. You should be sure to have the necessary information handy while browsing. Of course, not every local government has its own Web site. Even if it does, it may not have a property section.
Ask the Real Estate Agent Who Brokered the Sale
If you happen to know which real estate agent or agency brokered the sale, you could call it to ask what the sale price was. Even if he didn’t handle the sale personally, he can often find out the information for you.
Go to the Local Tax Assessor’s Office for Guaranteed Results
Of course, the best way to find out the selling price of a property is to go to the local tax assessor’s office. Here you can find both the assessed value and the actual sale price of any property in its jurisdiction. Before making the trip, you should check to see if it has a Web site, as you may be able to find the information you are looking for online. This may save you both time and money, especially if the property you are interested in is not in your local area.
