Acquiring contact information

[FinalLastDays]

Many months ago I went out to the parish courthouse and was able to get contact information on a few sites I was considering metal detecting. However I went into the courthouse expecting to ask for old maps to find the sites - but instead I wound up at a desk where a woman behind a computer was able to pull up a satellite aerial map and when she put the cursor over the location I was interested in, a box would pop up with the land owner's contact name and information. The program looked quite the same as Google Maps, but with more personal information. The entire time I was there, other workers were staring and I felt uneasy as if nobody went about asking for land owners contact information before. I told myself when I left there that day that I personally would not go back. I would have felt a lot easier if I was led to a room where I was able to search through paper maps instead and do my own research. Obviously I was taking time away from this woman and her normal routine of work.

Now I have come across three sites that look promising and I really do not want to go through the ordeal that I did months ago in the courthouse. The program the woman was using was very informative. I am wondering if anyone knows if a program such as this, with the personal information, is available to the average Joe like myself - even for a fee? I am itching to get permission on these sites that I see. Thanks!

[rip]

not so sure "big brother" would be willing to share that program but it sure would be a BIG help ! I kinda like to stay away from courthouse's myself ! Good post Stephan

[MinelabMan]

I know it's hard to do what you want when someone is breathing down your neck, but you have every right to these, they are public records. Realtors have this information also even the the people's mortgage amount and who it's through, although, in PA the phone number is not available if they're on the do not call list.

Just go back and excercise your right, it's your tax dollars paying for this!

[FinalLastDays]

I understand that it is my right to access these records, but the main reason I do not want to go back to the courthouse is because I know two people who work there that I do not get along with. They are gossipers and backstabbers all wrapped into one innocent looking body. Neither one works in the same area that I need the information from, but it is not worth running into them - period. Being that public records are available for public viewing, how come they don't make it easy where the public can have access to it at home?

Originally Posted by MinelabMan

I know it's hard to do what you want when someone is breathing down your neck, but you have every right to these, they are public records. Realtors have this information also even the the people's mortgage amount and who it's through, although, in PA the phone number is not available if they're on the do not call list.

Just go back and excercise your right, it's your tax dollars paying for this!

[MinelabMan]

Originally Posted by FinalLastDays

Being that public records are available for public viewing, how come they don't make it easy where the public can have access to it at home?

That's a good question, there is a site ( Address Lookup ) that you can put in the address and it will give you the person's name and phone number (if it's listed). There's another site I remember going to that claims to give you information whether listed or not, even cell phone and criminal background for a fee, but I really don't remember what site it was.

[EPC Guy]

I'm sure than when they can figure out a way to charge everyone an arm and a leg for the information - it will be readily accessible on the internet

[carolinachief]

Stephan,

That sounds like the kind of thing we have here. Have you tried to look it up on the internet. Where I live it is found under Craven County GIS and is all the property records for the county. You pull a map of the area you want. Click on the lot you want. Then use the identify tool and get owner info, sale info, property description to include size of home, number of rooms, property size, any improvements, outbuildings, and very importantly, the year built. It is a great tool and is fully accessible by internet. Try searching with your county or parrish with GIS attached and see if you come up with it. Not all counties here have it but we are one of the lucky ones. Hope this helps.

[mlamp20412]

FinalLastDays-

Found this for Baton Rouge Area, not sure where you are.

http://gis.brgov.com/maps/

Here in my county we have an online GIS system like carolinachief mentioned. It uses satellite images with road overlays and parcel outlines. You can strip off layers of info and such. When you click to identify the parcel you get the map book ID info. Then you go to the county tax record info sit and plug in the parcel info. You then get the name address, lot size, house size, year built, year and price purchased, etc. A lot of surrounding counties here have similar elements of this info online.

Do some searches or go to the county tax assessor’s page for your area and poke around.

Good Luck-

[DougsGraphics]

Originally Posted by carolinachief

Try searching with your county or parrish with GIS attached and see if you come up with it.

Great tip! Thanks!

[Len]

In Maryland I can go on a county web site and find out
who owns the property it don't list their phone # though