Closed record states

[bmazerolle]

I know there are 'closed' record states relative to vital records, but someone recently told me that some states do not avail records relative to transactions involving real property, is this true and does anyone have a list which distinguishes which states are which? here in AZ this is mostly a county matter and although some counties do not have much in the way of a website or online copies, you can always at worst visit the recorder's / assessor's office for anything you want.

 

[Scott R Marshall]

Here in New Mexico, it depends on the county. Some are fairly forthcoming in providing property data, some it's a bit more of a headache and typically is not possible to obtain during the normal course of business however, sales prices are ONLY disclosed through MLS, as sales prices are not available to the public for viewing. So, in the case of FSBO's, if I can't get my hand on a HUD-1, I can't verify.

 

[Restrain]

CA, AZ, FL and some others are open records states. A vast swath through the middle of the US (LA,TX,OK,IL, IN, etc) do not have disclosure. Each state is different and the result can result in inequitable property taxation, as well as other issues.

 

[Howard Klahr]

non-disclosure states

Alaska
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
New Mexico
North Dakota
Texas
Utah
Wyoming

 

[AnonApprsr]

I'd hate to appraise in an NDS. Seems pointlessly bothersome.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Which means you are dependent upon the Realtor not being a liar....and how could you tell?....scare me....not that people don't lie about deed stamps, but at least you can say. "look under penalty of law this is supposed to be correct..."

 

[Vetteman]

People lie about deed stamps? Sheesh, I was under the impression that all the title companies down here are straight shooters. Nobody ever talks about realtors, title companies and fraud in the same breath. I still wonder about all those comparable sales that I have looked at where the recorded sales price was much higher than the realtors list price. Of course, there was an 80% mortgage on the day of closing with a 20% second taken out the next day, both from the same lender. And of course, I am sure there was an appraisal on file matching the sale price...dutifully provided by somebody's nephew. My question is, how did the seller pass the price increase back to the buyer if not at the closing table? That big fat check from the lender had to get divided up somehow. Do crooks really trust each other?

If we have all this trouble down here and Florida is a disclosure state, I can only imagine what happens where everything is kept hidden. I mean, I can go thru foreclosure sales records and see where the same groups of people were involved time after time. One would think the government could easily do the same...if they really wanted to. Evidently I don't know what I don't know, as others have said.

 

[Doug Meyer]

I do not know about you all, but people here in Indiana are good honest folks!!

 

[Scott R Marshall]

I do not know about you all, but people here in Indiana are good honest folks!!

Same here in NM. While I am sure fraud goes on, I would be shocked to find out that fraud is higher because of the non-disclosure status of law.

 

[Doug Meyer]

Same here in NM. While I am sure fraud goes on, I would be shocked to find out that fraud is higher because of the non-disclosure status of law.

Agreed!!