The Short Answer
Whether you’re assessing the value of an investment property, conducting a comparative market analysis or working out the fair market value, finding the sold price of a home in the US can be done in a variety of ways. For those who need to find the sale price of a home, some of the most accurate ways to do this are:
- Real estate websites
- Public records
- Real estate agents
These methods are more accurate and reliable than many others and are likely to provide valuable information easily.
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What Is The Most Accurate Way To Determine How Much A House Sold For?
There are various methods that you can use to figure how much a house sold for. From a simple online search to extensive networking in the industry and consulting public records. You may want to determine how much a house sold for if you’re:
- Trying to assess the value of properties to make a more informed lending decision on which loans would be best suited to the property purchase.
- Conducting a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) which uses the recent sales prices of homes in order to compare them to another property, to guide investment decisions.
- Determining market trends by looking at property sale prices over time, as an indication of where to invest in real estate.
- Working out the fair market value to negotiate the purchase price of a property.
The best method you can use to determine how much a house sold for is the most reliable and accurate option that works for your particular needs and resources. Typically, this would be consulting with a real estate agent who can look up the property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which will provide accurate property data.
Now, we’ll take a detailed look at how to find out how much a house sold for, including useful methods that you can use.
7 Ways To Find Out How Much A House Sold For Online
When you’re looking at how to find out how much a house sold for, there are various methods to consider. From consulting online sources, to networking, finding out the price that a home sold for can be done in a variety of ways.
Method 1: Search Online Real Estate Websites
Online real estate websites such as Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com and a host of other real estate sites have become useful property databases for those looking for the historical price of properties. These websites not only show the current prices of homes for sale, but also the previous selling prices. The only information you’ll need to conduct a search on a real estate website is the address of the property.
Real estate websites pull their data from reliable sources such as the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), which means that this data is typically reliable and accurate. Typically, these websites provide a list of the previous sale price of the home, along with comparable properties in the area. This method is convenient, especially for preliminary research, as it offers a quick glimpse into local market trends.
Method 2: Check Public Records
Public records for properties can be found at the county assessor’s office. A title search will provide you with a deed, which will give you the information you’re looking for. Public records include detailed information about property transactions, including sale prices, dates, and property characteristics. Public records are legal documents and as such, you can be sure that the information supplied is accurate.
Public records can also be accessed online through government websites, for those who cannot go there in person. The drawback to this method is that it can be time-consuming to find the information you need, and government databases can be confusing. However, the accuracy of the information typically makes up for this challenge.
Method 3: Consult With Real Estate Agents
A local real estate agent will typically be well connected in their respective areas, which means that they can easily get access to the sold price of properties. A local real estate agent can get access to proprietary databases which give accurate and detailed information on properties. As such, they can provide you with precise and current information based on their professional networks and resources.
A real estate agent can be a great resource to find out a sold price, but keep in mind that they may prioritize their client’s interests and therefore tailor the data to suit this. However, using a real estate agent is an easy and accurate solution for those who are looking for ways to find out how much a house sold for. All you’ll need to do is provide the address for the property.
Method 4: Network With Real Estate Professionals
Networking in the real estate industry is often a valuable way to find out more information about properties and make better decisions. You can gain valuable insights and firsthand knowledge about the real estate conditions in an area, and recent transactions from other investors, real estate professionals, and individuals with experience.
Networking is not only valuable for finding property prices, but also for making connections that can help with finding good real estate deals. Bear in mind that the data you get from individuals may not be as comprehensive as other sources, but it will be personalized.
Method 5: Check With A Tax Assessor
Certain states provide tax assessments for homes and these are a good source to use for determining the price that a property sold for. Many tax assessors make their annual assessments freely available online, which means that anyone can find the property taxes, market value and more information about a property.
The market value isn’t an exact sale price, but it is a good indication of what the home would’ve sold for. Usually, this information is free to access, however some tax assessors may charge a small fee for accessing the information. This is only applicable for those who live in a state that is not a non-disclosure state.
Method 6: Real Estate Auctions
If a property has been sold at an auction, the details of the sale price will be available to the public. Auction houses typically maintain records of their auctions, and these records may be accessible online or by contacting the auctioneer directly.
One limitation of this method is that it only applies to properties sold at auction, which is a relatively small portion of the real estate market. However, when relevant, auction records can provide precise information about sale prices.
Method 7: Online Calculators
New Silver offers an online ARV (after-repair value) calculator that is available online and completely free. This can be used to determine the sales price of a property, based on the comparable sales in the area. All you’ll need is the property’s address and you can work out more details from there. This method can give you a good indication of how much a property sold for online, but bear in mind that it may not be the most accurate method.
Other Ways To Find The Last Known Sales Price Of A Home
- Real Estate Title Companies
Title companies are involved in real estate transactions and therefore have records of previous transactions. This includes the price that properties were sold for. For those who are looking for the last known sales price of a home, this can be done by approaching a title company and requesting a title history on a property, which will include past sale information.
- Local Newspapers and Archives
Some local newspapers will publish information about home sales in the area. These snippets will include home sales prices. You may be able to find the last known sales price of a home by checking the local newspaper archives for historical data on properties.
- Online Real Estate Forums
Online real estate forums and community websites frequently have discussions about property sales that have occurred recently. Real estate professionals and others on these forums may share information about local property sales which can be a good starting point to find out sales prices.
- Real Estate Investment Software
There are real estate investment software and databases, like REIPro or PropStream, provide historical sales data and property information for investors. These tools can be used to determine the last known sales price of a property with a little research.
How To Find Out What a Home Sold For That Has a Sold Sign
Properties with a “sold” sign have typically been sold recently, and finding the price that they were sold for can be done by:
- Asking the real estate agent who represented the seller. This is most direct and easiest way to find out the sale price. The agent’s information is usually available on the sign itself, or on the property listing online.
- Using real estate websites. The property listing will likely still be online on website such as Zillow and Redfin. You can search for the property address on these websites and you may find the sale price.
These are the quickest and easiest ways to find the sale price, however you can also use any of the methods mentioned above as well.
Are Recently Sold Home Prices Available Via Public Records?
Yes, recently sold house prices are usually available via public property records. The county and municipal government in each area are in control of maintaining the public records related to real estate transactions, and as such, the house prices provided on these records are accurate and reliable.
Bear in mind, however, the availability and accessibility of public records can vary from one location to another. So, sold prices may be more difficult to get your hands on in certain locations.
Disclosure States vs Non Disclosure States
The terms disclosure and non-disclosure states are referring to the manner in which information about a property sale is shared and whether the sale price is disclosed to the public. Disclosure states are those in which the sale price of a property is considered public information and is disclosed as a matter of public record. Whereas in non-disclosure states, the sale price of a property is not disclosed as a matter of public record.
| Disclosure States | Non-disclosure States |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Alaska |
| Arizona | Idaho |
| Arkansas | Kansas |
| California | Louisiana |
| Colorado | Mississippi |
| Connecticut | Missouri (some counties) |
| Delaware | Montana |
| Florida | New Mexico |
| Georgia | North Dakota |
| Hawaii | Texas |
| Illinois | Utah |
| Indiana | Wyoming |
| Iowa | |
| Kentucky | |
| Maine | |
| Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | |
| Michigan | |
| Minnesota | |
| Nebraska | |
| Nevada | |
| New Hampshire | |
| New Jersey | |
| New York | |
| North Carolina | |
| Ohio | |
| Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | |
| Pennsylvania | |
| Rhode Island | |
| South Carolina | |
| South Dakota | |
| Tennessee | |
| Vermont | |
| Virginia | |
| Washington | |
| West Virginia | |
| Wisconsin |
*Resource: Propstream
Final Tips For Finding Home Sale Prices
Some final tips for those who are looking for home sales prices:
- Use multiple sources to cross-reference the information, this helps ensure accuracy and reliability of home sales prices.
- When contacting a real estate agent or others for information, always be respectful and courteous as this can increase your chances of getting more information.
- Some regions have property appraisal districts that maintain property records and may provide information on recent sales.
- Check county government websites, many of these will provide access to property records, including sold prices.
- Familiarize yourself with any legal requirements related to disclosing property sale prices in your area.
- Make sure you have an accurate and complete address of the property you are interested in, when you’re looking at how to find out how much a house sold for.