Updating property research sources

[sako]

I have a subscription to Realquest.com for many years. I get the property report, assessor's parcel map and deed for 3 Counties (Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda). The AP maps are outdated, mostly from 2005 for Santa Clara. I know I can get most updated ones from the County website.
I just wanted to ask everyone here to input their info to compare between different sources.

[sako]

C'mon guys, I know it's been a good year and everybody is super busy, but exchange of info will be helpful.

[David Kendall]

I use the county Assessor's website for AP maps and current deed reference numbers and Parcel Quest (updates quarterly) for names and I order the deeds form the Recorder or DataTree.com in cases where ParcelQuest is not current. In my experience, the Assessor will likely consistently have the most current deed transfer info next to the county Recorder. I expect that trend will vary by county.

[RMLAND]

datatree

[sako]

I get followings from Realquest with a click of a mouse:
-AP map
- property report ( owner's name, APN, deed #, lot area, etc..)
-Deed
-other documents with help of doc#

Sometimes the deed is missing, all the time the AP map is 4-5 years old.

[sako]

datatree

What kind of data you get from Datatree? how fast? Do they have all you need all the time?
How high is the subscription fees?

[Anthony Maffia]

In the bay area, assessor's maps are available direct from the tax assessor, except Contra Costa has a pretty good GIS application, and Napa won't give them away (they require prepayment in gold bullion and a special secret handshake).

Deeds come from the title company for free, or in an emergency from Courthouse Direct (only recent deeds, back to around 1970). Title companies will also give property sheets when I ask for them, but all I care about is in the deed. I really dislike doing boundary work without a title report from the client.

San Mateo County's GIS system is the greatest - it will give every recorded and some unrecorded maps in a property search.

Soapbox Mode: All filed maps and assessor's maps should be available online for free now. Counties that don't give the dumbest excuses.

[sako]

Anthony, most of the time, If I wait for the title report, I may loose the job. I need to come up with a quote within couple of hours.

[LS_8750]

Myfirstam
It is geared toward realtors, but works pretty good for surveyors too.

[bjarvis]

We use Parcel Quest. I usually check the Assessor's Office for a current map, but lately they use Parcel Quest, too. I get deeds from title companies, the Recorders Office, or Courthouse Direct for current vesting or recent deeds. Mostly I prefer to go to the Recorders Office to view the deed(s) and check any calls.

[sako]

Its been more than 5 years since I started this thread and was wondering if you guys are still happy with your source of info companies for deeds, etc...
or have switched to a new one. I'm still with Real quest and wanted to try other companies like VTS, Yardi Advanced Budgeting & Forecasting, DataTree Online, and REIS Real Estate Solutions. Does anybody have subscription with any of these guys?
I usually get the APN, owner's info and most important, DEED from Realquest. Sometimes I need older documents , Realquest has Start Date: 1/7/1965 .

[Jim Frame]

I used DataTree for years, but they told me I need to upgrade to a pricier service, so I switched to CourthouseDirect. (I later learned that I didn't have to switch, but by then I'd moved on.) However, awhile back CourthouseDirect stopped providing search by owner, and their website operation was always cumbersome. These days I use NetrOnline.

assessor's maps are available direct from the tax assessor, except...Napa won't give them away

They will if you file a Public Records Act request. I did that in Yolo County a couple of years ago and got all of the AP maps, as well as all filed maps (ROS, PM, Final Map). It took some follow-up -- I eventually had to involve County Counsel -- but I got it done.

Yolo County only recently took their AP maps off of their GIS site, directing you to the Assessor where you can buy AP map copies. It really annoys me when public agencies try to turn public data into a profit center.