I’m interested in the history of my rowhome, which is about 80 years old. I’m not looking for the sales price history, but rather how the house came to be. Was it built by a developer to sell each unit, or did it used to be apartments? What was the neighborhood like when it was built? Was it intended for high, low, or middle-income families? Where would you go to learn about the history of your house?
The County Assessor’s Office is often the ideal starting point for property information. County websites usually offer property record searches by address or owner name. These records typically detail:
- Property ownership history (including previous owners and sale dates)
- Property value assessments
- Tax details
- Building permits and inspection records
You can visit your local registrar’s website or office to access your property’s deed. A deed provides information such as homeowner names, construction dates, plot maps, and details about changes in the home’s value and usage over time.