Understanding property values is a key step for anyone involved in real estate. Whether you’re an investor, a homebuyer, or just curious about a neighborhood, knowing how to research property information can save time and money. This guide walks you through the basics of using tax appraisal district websites and free online tools to get the details you need. Plus, we’ll share strategies for contacting property owners and building a solid lead pipeline.
What Is a Tax Appraisal?
A tax appraisal is the county’s assessed value of a property, used to determine how much property tax the owner owes. While it’s a useful starting point, it’s not always accurate. Tax appraisals are often outdated since counties typically reassess properties every few years. Additionally, these appraisals tend to come in under market value—a factor that’s important to keep in mind.
For a clearer picture, compare the tax appraisal with values from real estate sites like Zillow or Realtor.com. These platforms often display higher estimates. By looking at both numbers, you can estimate a property’s likely value somewhere in the middle.
Using County Appraisal District Websites
Every county has an appraisal district responsible for managing property assessments and tax records. These offices maintain public databases that allow you to search for property details. The best part? All of this can be done online.
For example, Tarrant County, Texas, uses tad.org. A quick Google search like “[Your County] tax appraisal district” will lead you to the right website. Once there, use the search function to plug in an address or property owner’s name. This simple search can reveal:
- The property’s tax appraisal value.
- The owner’s name and mailing address.
- Basic details about the land and structures.
Keep in mind that some systems only accept minimal input, so skip terms like “Street,” “Avenue,” or “Drive” when entering an address. If you can’t find a match, adjust your search and try again.
Finding Absentee Owners Through Tax Records
If the property’s mailing address differs from its physical location, this could mean the owner doesn’t live there. These absentee owners might have inherited the property, moved out, or be holding it as an investment. They’re often more open to selling, making them promising leads.
Look up the mailing address listed in the tax record—it’s often where the owner resides. You can use this information to cross-check their contact details and reach out to them.
Once you’ve identified the property owner, tools like FastPeopleSearch.com can help uncover contact details. Unlike many paid services that charge for complete reports, this site is free. By searching a name and location, you’ll typically find:
- Cell and landline numbers.
- Email addresses.
- Current and past addresses.
- Names of relatives.
While not every piece of data will be accurate, these tools make it easy to collect multiple phone numbers and email addresses to try. If one isn’t current, another might work. Sending multiple emails costs you nothing, so it’s worth the small effort.
Once you have the owner’s contact details, it’s time to reach out. Here are several methods:
- Phone Calls: Call all available numbers. Leave a message if no one answers, introducing yourself and explaining your intent. Be polite and concise.
- Email: Found multiple email addresses? Send a short message to all of them. Include your name, why you’re reaching out, and how they can contact you.
- Door Notes: Not hearing back? Visit the property, knock on the door, and leave a handwritten note with your contact information.
Owners may not respond immediately. If they say no, it doesn’t necessarily mean no forever. Follow up periodically, especially if the property shows ongoing signs of neglect.
Persistence Pays Off in Real Estate
Real estate outreach is a numbers game. Success often comes down to how many properties you research and follow up on. For example, seasoned investors recommend identifying 20 properties, working through those leads, and then moving on to another 20. As you gain experience, you can scale up to contacting 50 or 100 properties at a time.
Staying diligent is key. Some owners won’t be ready to sell right away. Others may reconsider after months of outreach. Tracking your efforts in a spreadsheet can help you remember which properties you’ve contacted, when you made those attempts, and what responses you received.
Real-Life Example: The Random Success Story
One investor shared a surprising experience while using these methods. They found a California-based auto body shop listed as a contact number for a neglected property in East Dallas. Despite the unlikely lead, they left a voicemail. To their surprise, the owner called back and ultimately agreed to sell the house.
This story highlights the importance of trying every method, no matter how unusual the results might seem. You never know which lead might work out.
Keep Building Your Pipeline
Building a strong list of property leads requires dedication, but the payoff can be worth it. Whether you’re driving through neighborhoods looking for distressed properties (“driving for dollars”) or combing through tax records, each step puts you closer to your next deal.
Remember these key tips:
- Start small. Focus on 20 properties, then expand gradually.
- Combine phone, email, and notes to maximize outreach.
- Follow up regularly without getting discouraged by rejection.
- Track everything to stay organized and spot missed opportunities.
Real estate success is built on small, consistent efforts over time. Keep moving forward, and you’ll see results.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to research properties through tax appraisal districts and free tools like FastPeopleSearch.com gives you an edge in real estate. By combining these resources with persistence, you can uncover valuable opportunities and build meaningful connections with property owners.
Whether you’re just starting out or refining your strategy, keep learning, stay organized, and don’t give up. Real estate is a marathon, not a sprint—but the rewards are well worth the effort.
