DUE DILIGENCE WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS! LAURA ALAMERY
Q: Which government agencies do you recommend searching to complete due diligence?
A: I don’t check with all the government offices for each property. If my discovery at the Recorder of Deeds
Office comes out clean (with no red flags) I will stop there; unless I see a spotty history of liens and releases
on title. This is also a useful means of locating properties undergoing issues that have kept them off the MLS.
Here is a list of searches available in the public domain, and what you can expect to find:
1. Recorder of Deeds Office –
Will have record of liens such as:
Mortgages, Federal & State
Income Tax Liens, Sewer, Water,
Judgments, HOA (Homeowner’s
Association); and other property
document history.
2. Collector of Revenue – Lists
any Back Property Taxes and Tax
Liens
3. Building Inspections Office
– Data on any building violations
and inspections.
4. HOA – If the property is within
a subdivision or a condo
development, there are probably
Homeowners’ Association Dues.
5. Clerk’s Office – Mechanics Liens (filed by contractors for unpaid work on the property).
6. Comptroller – City liens, for unpaid taxes and fees.
Due diligence is a must when it comes to purchasing real estate. Though a preliminary search can be
performed at no cost before making your decision to proceed – it is my opinion that a full title search and
insurance are necessary prior to final purchase.