Finding the Price Online
Choose a realty website to search for sold properties. Most of the websites that list properties for sale also list properties that have sold. These sites pull information from everywhere homes are listed, such as multiple listing services (MLS) reports and databases compiled by Realtors and brokers. Simply visit the site and click on the icon to search sold properties rather than those for sale. For example, a few common sites include: https://www.zillow.com/homes/recently_sold/ https://www.realtor.com/soldhomes Most homes are listed on real estate websites such as Reator.com, Zillow.com, Redfin.com, and Trulia.com. Your area may even have its own version of these sites, which can be an excellent resource.
Input a neighborhood, zip code, or specific address to search. You can use a neighborhood or zip code to search homes if you just want to get an idea about how much properties in the area are selling for. If you already have an idea of which property you want to check, you can search for just that home. For example, if you are selling your home and want to know how much you can expect to get, you might want to search out your neighborhood. Alternatively, you might want to look for an individual property if you know a home on the street just sold.
Check the results of your search for the sold prices. If you entered a neighborhood or zip code, then you will get a list of all of the properties that sold in that area. You can scroll through the list and look for properties that interest you, such as a home on the street where you live or on a street near where you hope to purchase a home. Click on the homes that interest you for more information. If you searched for an address, then you can look directly at that listing. Recent sales may not have the sales price available.
Search the address of the home in a search engine. You may be able to find the sales price by simply searching for an address. In most cases, searching for the address will return links to real estate websites in the area. You may also see links to government records, if they are public in your area.
Use alternative methods in areas where sales prices aren't public. Your area may have laws that prevent the disclosure of information like a home’s selling price, which means it cannot be publicly displayed online. However, you can still find out this information by visiting a governmental office or asking the real estate agent you're working with. In these cases, there should be an estimate included on the sold listing.
Finding the Price in Person
Write down the address you want to search for. When you go to a government office, you can't get a long list of every property in a zip code. Instead, you can ask them to provide you with real estate and property records that will include the selling price. Depending on your area, you may be able to search this information yourself in the records, or you may have to ask a clerk for assistance.
Visit your county clerk’s office to search records. A county clerk’s office maintains all records related to real estate for the area it serves. This includes information related to sales price. Tell them the address you are looking for and let them know you need the sales price. Say, “I need to check property records to see the selling price for the home at 123 Courtyard Street.” In some areas, you may need to visit the Land Registry Office. Be aware that some of this information may be considered private, so you will need to discuss with the staff what the laws in your area allow you to access.
Pay any required fees to view or receive copies of the records. Checking a database for just the sales price may not cost you, but there can be fees assessed when you consult a government office. This is especially true if the office prints anything out for you. Copy fees may be as little as $1 for a single non-certified copy, but ask about cost before you obligate yourself to pay for anything.
Call a real estate agent for more information about the selling price. A real estate agent may be able to provide inside information on the sale of a property, especially if it is used as a comparable listing to another home on the market. They may be able to share information not readily available to the public, including the final sales price. If you’re already working with an agent, they will be able to tell you how much homes in your area sold for, as these will be used as “comps” or comparables for your sale.
Contact the owner if the home was listed as “for sale by owner.” Sometimes sellers will decide to sell a home themselves. Since only licensed realtors and brokers can use MLS listing sites, these sales prices will not appear online. If you spot a home that’s for sale by owner, you will likely have to contact that owner to get the sold price.
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