Wichita Business Daily

How to find out what real estate properties an individual owns?

What website will allow me to search by name, city/st to show all of the real estate properties owned by the individuals name used? The person and properties in question are located in Kansas, Wichita and surrounding areas. I thought I had done this in the past through the Sedgwick county tax appraisal site, but it appears you can only search by addresses instead of by name? Outside of MLS through a realtor where can I look online to verify this person owns the properties he says that he owns? I do not know the addresses, but I know his first and last name, business address, city, st etc. I am looking to sell and he is looking to buy, but I am cautious because I have been dragged into deep water by two failed closing this past 8 months. I am trying to do as much due diligence as possible. Also in out last conversation he stated he recently closed on a $1,000,000 deal with properties similar to mine with the required $200,000 down and is looking to do it again. How might I be able to verify he did in fact do this deal? I only have his name, office address and cities/St. he operates in. Very Kind Regards, JT

Public Comments

1. You are interested in selling and you have a potential buyer. I take it this person has presented a written offer. If not, you should ask for either a written offer or a letter of intent. What does your real estate agent recommend? Does this buyer want you to owner finance any part of the transaction - like the $200K DP? If so, you should require that he provide you with the details of his ownership interest other properties as well as other financial information. If he balks at giving you information he would provide to a lender in order to secure a loan, you would have good reason to question his position as a ready, willing and able buyer. Has this buyer presented any pre-approval/pre-qual letter? It may be a little difficult for you to find out, but your real estate agent could call his/her preferred lender and ask the lender to contact the buyer's lender to see how qualified this buyer really is. You may have to go down to the records department of the county courthouse or appraisal district and use their computer to do your research. But that will only give you limited info in the event the potential buyer has property in other counties/states/countries. Are you doing a For Sale By Owner? Then, you should consult the RE attorney you will be using. I hope the 3rd time's a charm in this instance. Good luck.
2. You can do the research but you may never find all the properties an individual owns because of the differing entities involved. Ask for a preapproval letter from his lender BEFORE you will sign a contract then go from there. Then either into a contract or don't.
3. Try the clerk's office. It also used to have some online access.