Property Profile
A comprehensive report containing key information about a property including ownership, assessed value, tax history, liens, and physical characteristics.
A property profile is a comprehensive report that compiles essential information about a specific property. For tax lien and tax deed investors, property profiles are indispensable due diligence tools that provide a snapshot of a property's characteristics, ownership history, financial obligations, and physical attributes in a single document.
Key components of a property profile typically include the property's legal description and parcel number, current and previous owner information, assessed and estimated market values, tax payment history, existing liens and encumbrances, zoning classification, lot size and building square footage, year of construction, and recent sale history. Some profiles also include neighborhood demographics and comparable sales data.
Investors can compile property profiles using a combination of sources. County property appraiser and tax collector websites provide assessed values and tax history. County recorder offices have deed records and lien filings. Online services like DataTree, PropertyShark, or county-specific GIS systems can provide additional data layers. Physical inspections and drive-bys add crucial firsthand information that can't be obtained from records alone.
Developing a systematic approach to creating property profiles is a hallmark of successful tax lien investors. Many create standardized templates that ensure they evaluate the same criteria for every potential investment, making comparison easier and reducing the chance of overlooking important information. This systematic approach becomes especially important when evaluating multiple properties before a tax lien auction, where time constraints require efficient analysis.