We already explained two easy ways to explore Columbus Houses from your computer: Google Streetview, which gives you street level pictures homes, businesses and the roadway in general, and Microsoft Live’s Bird’s Eye View, which allows you to see Columbus HUD Homes from above.
Combine these 2 tools with our inside pictures and video previews and you get a very good visual impression of a Columbus House. Today let’s look at another tool that gives you essential information about a property: the Property Records of the County Auditor.
Most County Auditors have a website where the general public can access property information. Typically, you see the owner’s name and mailing address, the size of the property including number of rooms, the auditor’s tax value of the home, the most recent sale price, the sale date and the annual property taxes.
Why is this useful when you analyze Columbus HUD Homes?
You certainly want to know what the auditor thinks the property is worth, because it determines how much you will have to pay in property taxes. We’ll show you how to appeal this valuation, but it’s a lengthy process.
You also want to compare the property size and number of rooms to what HUD has published. The most recent sales price gives you an idea of what the property was worth at that time.
Some auditors have access to property maps (GIS), so you can see the layout of the lot and its surroundings. You also may see potential easements which give utilities or cities certain rights to access your property.
Here are the links to County Auditor’s web-pages in Central Ohio:
Delaware County Auditor
Franklin County Auditor
Fairfield County Auditor
Licking County Auditor
Madison County Auditor
Pickaway County Auditor
Union County Auditor
If you need help using these tools, feel free to email or call. We’d be glad to help you analyze your HUDhomes purchase
Thanks for reading our Columbus HUD Homes Blog
Posted by: Susanne Novak, ABR, FIS, GRI
Columbus Realtors specializing in
HUD Homes, Shortsales, Investment Real Estate
(614) 975-9650
