How to Find Owners of Properties
in California

There are many possible reasons you might need to conduct a property owner search in California. You could be exploring commercial investment opportunities and want to contact the owner to make an offer, or perhaps you work for the city and need to notify property owners about an upcoming water installation or another infrastructure project.

Whatever your reason, you need answers, and you need them quickly. So, what are your options? Depending on the level of detail you require and the time you're willing to invest, here are ways to do a California house owner lookup.

Contact the Tax Assessor's Office in Your County

If you're only looking for information on a couple of properties, one of the easiest ways to determine the individual that owns the real estate (if it's commercial) is by reaching out to the tax assessor's office. County tax assessors are responsible for determining how much the properties are worth in their jurisdiction for tax purposes, so they maintain records of property owners and their contact details. This makes the assessor's office a reliable source for the information you're seeking.

The county tax assessor's office maintains various records that are available for public inquiry, including:

• The assessment roll, which lists property values for tax purposes
• Assessment maps that provide visual representations of property boundaries and details
• A list of all property transfers from the last two years
• Organizational exemption claims and their supporting documents
• Market data, offering insights into property values and trends
• Information on property characteristics, such as size, improvements, and zoning details

Remember there are 58 counties within the state of California. Reaching out to a few of county tax assessor's offices might be manageable if you're only interested in a few properties. However, the process can become time-consuming if you're looking at properties across the state. To make it manageable for you, here is a link where you can find all 58 county tax assessors.

Visit the County Clerk or Recorder's Office

The clerk or recorder's office is another valuable resource for finding property ownership information in the state of California. This is only true if you're aware of the location of the property and the county it's in, you can usually obtain this information for free. Even when you require printed documents, the fees for doing so are typically minimal. To find the appropriate county clerk or recorder's office for your search, you can use the Public Records Online Directory, which provides easy access to the relevant contact information.

For instance, in Los Angeles County, anyone can search and request real estate records in person, online, or by mail, with processing typically taking up to 20 working days from the date the request is received. Here are more county recorder's offices in California:

• Santa Clara
• Sacramento
• Napa
• Shasta
• Los Angeles

Can you find property owners for free in California? Not in this state. There are fees for obtaining these documents depending on the type of record requested.

Check the CRE Database

You can locate property owners in California by way of buying a membership for a commercial real estate (CRE) database. The Counselors of Real Estate, founded in 1953, is an international organization composed of credentialed professionals who offer expert guidance on complex real estate and land-related issues. Membership is by invitation, though qualified individuals can also apply directly.

CRE databases are frequently updated, providing accurate and up-to-date contact information specifically for real estate within California and beyond. A quality CRE database can also help find a property owner by address, saving you the additional step of tracking down corporate ownership details and ultimately saving you more time in your search.

Given that real property is one of the most valuable assets, understanding how ownership is established is crucial. The method of ownership, known as the vesting of title, dictates who has the authority to sign documents related to the property and influences the future rights of the parties involved in the transaction. These rights encompass important issues, such as real property taxes, income taxes, inheritance and gift taxes, transferability of title, and vulnerability to creditor claims. Additionally, the manner in which title is vested can have significant implications for probate in the event of an owner's death.

The options for title vesting in California include separate and sole ownership, community property, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, tenancy in common, trusts, partnerships, and LLCs.

The table below provides a snapshot of the various vesting options available in California:

Another challenge you may face when trying to identify property ownership in California is that individuals often hold commercial real estate through corporations rather than under their personal names. Consequently, if a corporation owns the property you're interested in, the records will list the corporation as the owner.

To find information about the individuals behind a corporation, you can refer to documents maintained by the California Secretary of State's office. Search the online database where you can download PDFs of incorporation documents. Knowing who owns the corporation linked to a specific property, you can effectively reach out to the actual owners and inquire whether they would be interested in discussing their commercial real estate.

Property transfer or conveyance is the legal process of changing ownership of a property from one individual or entity to another. Transfer involves more than just filling out paperwork; it's about safeguarding your investment and ensuring your property rights are protected. Without a clear understanding of the conveyance process, you might face unexpected legal issues, disputes, or complications.

Here are some common methods of property transfer in California:

Here is a detailed guide on property transfer in California:

• Determine the Method of Transfer: The first step in transferring a real estate title in California is to determine the method of transfer. This is because every method comes with different implications. Two common options for this process are a Quitclaim Deed and a Grant Deed.
• Gather the Requisite Documentation: Gather the required documents which may vary depending on the nature of the transfer. Typical documents you may need include the current title of the property, duly-filled transfer form, proof of identity for parties involved, and proof of payment.
• Complete the Transfer Form: The next step is to complete the transfer form, which facilitates the change of property ownership from one person to another. This form requires information about the property, the parties involved in the transfer, and the terms of the transfer. Fill out the form accurately and completely to avoid delays or complications in the transfer process.
• Notarize the Form: Submit the completed transfer form to a notary public. There should be a third party who'll witness the signing of the forms and verify the identity of the parties.
• Submit Documents to the Recorder's Office: The final step in transferring a real estate title is to submit the completed transfer form along with the required documents to the county recorder's office where the property is located. The county recorder's office will review the transfer form and accompanying documents to ensure they are accurate and complete. If everything is in order, the title transfer will be effected.

There are some costs you can expect when transferring title in California. These include the documentary transfer tax set at 55 cents per $500 of the sale price or value of the real property being transferred. Some counties and cities may also impose some transfer taxes, so it's essential to look this up to avoid surprises.