California Brokers- How do I get property owner's information (LLC, contact, etc)?
For example, Los Angeles County does not provide ownership information via GIS or any other system I can find online, and it seems that you have to go down to the Registrar's office and have it pulled in person. Is that the case? Does anyone use third party pay services? If so, which, how much and what's the efficacy? Thanks guys.
[{"id": "f80vs7q", "text": "Do you ever check the CA Secretary of State\u2019s website for entities registered under the address? \n\nFor example, who owns 5436 Kirby Blvd? Just search for 5436 Kirby under both the corporation and LLC-LLP options", "replies": [{"id": "f8288hd", "text": "That\u2019s a good first step. Thanks", "replies": [{"id": "f83kbjd", "text": "I've searched public records in a number of states, but never California.  I looked up Los Angeles County, out of curiosity, because I've never heard of NO deed record info being posted online; apparently it's not though, to protect the home addresses of public officials.\n\nSF Lady had a good suggestion.  In Florida, it's very easy to look up property ownership, The Secretary of State records then usually help me identify the principals behind the corp.  Since you are looking at commercial properties (in the sense that these are investor-owned multi-family properties), have you tried a straight Google search on the addresses? I find that often a newspaper blurb or real estate trade industry article will then pop up saying \"XYZ investments, LLC purchased the 60 unit ABC Apartments in Oct 2019...\", the article might quote one of the principals or provide other potentially identifying info.  \n\nI noted that when I looked on the Los Angeles County property appraiser website, when you put in a property address, they do provide prior sales info and I think that includes the recording information; if so, maybe there's a way to order a copy of the deed quickly and inexpensively.", "replies": [{"id": "f83kw52", "text": "Yes, it's ostensibly to protect public officials address. It seems like there are some good third-party aggregators of information, as recommended by people in this and other threads. Chief among them seem to be: White Pages, ProspectNow, LandVision, Reonomy. Based on feedback, I'm planning to use one of them just need some demos. But thanks for your input. I'm trying to streamline the process as much as possible, from an efficiency standpoint.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "f80vzdl", "text": "Costar", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "f80w9fa", "text": "white pages, nexis,", "replies": [{"id": "f80wien", "text": "What\u2019s nexus?", "replies": [{"id": "f80wntd", "text": "lexis nexis. It does background checks and give phone numbers, cell phone numbers, email addresses. Your broker can sign up for it. Its expensive though. 2nd best is opening up a white pages account.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "f80x329", "text": "Check our ProspectNow. Cheaper than costar/lexis nexis. Typically has about 60-70ish percent of true owners but chasing owner data is never easy. I think about $100/mo for a single county. If you are actually in the LA area, and depending on what property type you need you may want to check out AIRCRE.com.  They have a lot of tools with their membership, and one of them is access to ProspectNow.", "replies": [{"id": "f81xgw6", "text": "Thanks. I'm in OC but will be working in both LA/OC. I'm actually a developer, but I would use the resources to track down the owners and offer on properties. Mostly MFR, but highest and best use based on the property. \n\nAre AIR contracts considered industry acceptable?", "replies": [{"id": "f81y8ci", "text": "I could be mistaken due to the fact that they are more IND/OFC/RET focused with their documents, but for the most part they are the industry standard. AIR doesn't cover MUH well so they may not be able to provide you with a full set of tools like the folks who cover other property types.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "f8124lw", "text": "Look at title, should be able to get the grant deed. That is the signatory for the company. Use nexus to look up the individual.  \n\nIf you can people swear by tlo https://www.tlo.com\n\nIt is the skip trace offered by trans union", "replies": [{"id": "f82cjgn", "text": "I\u2019m familiar with title but how do I access all the deeds? Through one of the title company\u2019s online platforms? Thanks", "replies": [{"id": "f82e0rb", "text": "Landvision and Realquest should have links to the Grant deeds which pulls up a PDF of the actual signed document. \n\nWhoever you use for your title should have that information.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "f82rv56", "text": "I use myfirstam.com", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "f83em6d", "text": "Reonomy is a payment-based platform which supposedly pierces the corporate veil to give the actual contact info for decision-makers. Like anything, it\u2019s not perfect but certainly helpful if you can justify the cost. There are various service levels, but the first two don\u2019t give you much. The good news is they offer a free trial.", "replies": [{"id": "f83g4by", "text": "Thanks, I saw this is another thread. Pretty pricey vs. White Pages or ProspectNow. Do you use it?", "replies": [{"id": "f83hfxw", "text": "I have when they first started. They subsequently got better, and thus, more expensive. It\u2019s only worth it if you really use it systematically as part of your practice, in my opinion.", "replies": [{"id": "f83idga", "text": "Thanks for the input. It would be central to my workflow.", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "f83ttdf", "text": "Costar", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "f8435q0", "text": "I go on NAR RPR and search the property. Get the owners name,  search phone numbers using owners name on google.", "replies": [{"id": "f853tic", "text": "So you\u2019re a realtor?", "replies": [{"id": "f854350", "text": "Yes, Nar RPR can search commercial properties and has some tools for commercial agent as well. \n\nSuper easy to find out owners. The only thing I can\u2019t find is LLC/LLP/Corp owner names.", "replies": [{"id": "f854hst", "text": "Can you clarify your last comment? Most commercial properties are held in an LLC, so you can see the LLC ownership entity but not the owners of that LLC and their contact info?", "replies": [{"id": "f855348", "text": "That\u2019s correct. If the property is held in an LLC it would only show the LLC ownership entity only.", "replies": [{"id": "f856vw4", "text": "Thanks for your input. That\u2019s of limited value for a commercial purpose, luckily there are services that pierce that vale and provide name and contact info for the LLC owners", "replies": [], "depth": 6}], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]