Where do you find who owns a property?

**Beutelratte** · 06-04-2011, 03:21 PM

Hi all,

I checked the OPA website for who owns a property, but the listed name is vague: a first initial and last name, and I know that 3 members of that family share that first initial and last name.

Where can I go to look up the deed to see if there is a full name, since OPA says it was sold in the 1990s?

The Registry Unit information at Architectural Research Resources at the Philadelphia City Archives says that "the chain of title of any property in Philadelphia utilizes sources available both at the Registry Unit, Department of Records, Room 154 City Hall, and at the Philadelphia City Archives, Suite 150, 3101 Market Street. "

But the website for Department of Records Archives at 3101 Market (Department of Records - City of Philadelphia) says they have "deeds of Philadelphia County, 1683-1952".

So it sounds like I probably won't find it at 3101 Market (which would be more convenient for me), but will find it at Room 154 of City Hall. Does that sound right, before I waste my time trekking around?

Does anyone have tips on how to navigate this process?

Thanks!
B.

**NEMESIS** · 06-04-2011, 03:26 PM

Brt has a property search feature here

OPA Website: Terms of Use and Disclaimer

**NEMESIS** · 06-04-2011, 03:27 PM

Oh never mind you checked that already

**ArcticSplash** · 06-04-2011, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Beutelratte

Hi all,

I checked the OPA website for who owns a property, but the listed name is vague: a first initial and last name, and I know that 3 members of that family share that first initial and last name.

Where can I go to look up the deed to see if there is a full name, since OPA says it was sold in the 1990s?

The Registry Unit information at Architectural Research Resources at the Philadelphia City Archives says that "the chain of title of any property in Philadelphia utilizes sources available both at the Registry Unit, Department of Records, Room 154 City Hall, and at the Philadelphia City Archives, Suite 150, 3101 Market Street. "

But the website for Department of Records Archives at 3101 Market (Department of Records - City of Philadelphia) says they have "deeds of Philadelphia County, 1683-1952".

So it sounds like I probably won't find it at 3101 Market (which would be more convenient for me), but will find it at Room 154 of City Hall. Does that sound right, before I waste my time trekking around?

Does anyone have tips on how to navigate this process?

Thanks!
B.

For a problem like this one you may want to contact a Realtor who has access to MLS and can backtrack through sales transactions on the parcel to see if there is any additional information.

Another thing you can do is if the Mailing Address of the parcel owner happens to be different than the parcel address--it's likely it's an investment property and that mailing address is the owner's actual home address or of a business for that owner. Googling that mailing address can usually lead you to who that person is.

**Beutelratte** · 06-04-2011, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by ArcticSplash

For a problem like this one you may want to contact a Realtor who has access to MLS and can backtrack through sales transactions on the parcel to see if there is any additional information.

Another thing you can do is if the Mailing Address of the parcel owner happens to be different than the parcel address--it's likely it's an investment property and that mailing address is the owner's actual home address or of a business for that owner. Googling that mailing address can usually lead you to who that person is.

No, these won't help. The last sale was for $1, so it was an in-group transaction and didn't go through a realtor / was never listed on MLS. It was just a transfer of the deed.

The parcel address is the same as the physical address.

I'm just trying to figure out who (as an example), "J. Smith" from the BRT/OPA website really is. Which one of the following people living there is it:
James Smith - Father of head of household
John Smith - Head of household
Julia Smith - Wife of head of household
Jane Smith - unmarried daughter of head of household
Jason Smith - son of head of household

This isn't the real name, but you get the idea - they obviously had an obsession with the initials "JS", and the BRT/OPA website isn't clear about which one owns the property. But I assume that the deed will have a full name.

So where do I go to get it?
Thanks!

**VeganDike** · 06-04-2011, 05:11 PM

You could check with Parks & Recreation or the PPA they might know.

**Beutelratte** · 06-04-2011, 05:32 PM

?? This is a residence.

**NEMESIS** · 06-04-2011, 05:50 PM

The MLS does have info on $1 and nominal transfers of deeds but they get most of the info from the BRT so that might not be helpful.

**bobvila** · 06-04-2011, 09:30 PM

if you go in person to room 154 of city hall they have public terminals where you can research/view any property records, including deeds, for free. you can access it online via the Recorder of Deeds site:
Department of Records - City of Philadelphia

The rates are $15.00 per hour, $40.00 per 24-hour day, $60.00 per 7-day week, $125.00 per full month:
iCRIS - Internet Applications

I opted to just go to city hall and get a copy of my deed for the printing fee...

**Beutelratte** · 06-04-2011, 09:58 PM

Thanks, bob!

About how much is the printing fee for one deed? Probably a lot less than $15, and I won't feel rushed to get everything found and printed in an hour (in case I get interrupted by something.)

B

**VeganDike** · 06-04-2011, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by bobvila

if you go in person to room 154 of city hall they have public terminals where you can research/view any property records, including deeds, for free. you can access it online via the Recorder of Deeds site:
Department of Records - City of Philadelphia

The rates are $15.00 per hour, $40.00 per 24-hour day, $60.00 per 7-day week, $125.00 per full month:
iCRIS - Internet Applications

I opted to just go to city hall and get a copy of my deed for the printing fee...

Yeah that's the Recorder of Deeds I partook of the one in Montco. For me there wasn't a fee(I'm very handsome) and
the clerks were great. As an aside any records for Montco property pre-1784 need to be looked up in Philly since until
that year Montco was Philly county.

**bobvila** · 06-04-2011, 11:28 PM

the printing fee for my deed cost somewhere around $10. it's an official copy (with a seal). if you are just looking for the owner of a specific address, you don't need the deed, and can just copy the pertinent info for free. it's probably best to go in person too (where it's free), as it is quirky to get around. the desk people can be helpful (sometimes), especially when you have to search via other means (parcel, etc).

**Beutelratte** · 06-04-2011, 11:49 PM

Perfect! Exactly the info I was hoping to find! (Thanks, as always, to this forum!).
I'll spring for the official, sealed copy, because I'll be presenting it in court.

B.

**VeganDike** · 06-05-2011, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by Beutelratte

Perfect! Exactly the info I was hoping to find! (Thanks, as always, to this forum!).
I'll spring for the official, sealed copy, because I'll be presenting it in court.

B.

Is there unofficial, unsealed copies also? I thought (and know) there is only one type of public record. You may want to
retain legal counsel so as not to confuse the judge which is never a good thing.

**bobvila** · 06-05-2011, 07:43 AM

i think you make the unofficial, unsealed copies yourself with pen and paper. I think they don't want misinformation floating around, so everything they issue is sealed, kinda like copies of a birth certificate.