Archive for September, 2009

3 Sep
2009
Why You Must Know How to Find the Criminal History of a Property

It’s always been a little tricky, but never quite this insidious, which is why it’s more important than ever to know how to find the criminal history of a property.  You don’t want to buy a home that could kill you or cause harm to your family.

Criminal Records Leave Behind More than a Bad Reputation

There have always been stories, and it’s probably even happened now and again, of someone unwittingly buying a criminal’s house, or the house of an accomplice.  No one wants a parolee digging up your floorboards for “his share,” but even this is not as dangerous as the more common threat today.

In the past, someone might have been growing pot in the basement and gotten arrested.  The worst thing this did was nothing that a good cleaning couldn’t get out.  Today with criminals making meth and other dangerous drugs in the home the risk is twofold:  Sickness and explosion.

Criminal History of a Property May Reveal Deadly Chemicals

The chemicals used in the production of many of today’s drugs can seep into the walls and floors and not be easily detected while making unknowing families sick. Because of this, it is good to do many different kinds of public records, criminal history, property history and news searches as you can to find out if your would-be home might have once been a lab.

This can be time-consuming, but it is well worth the effort to find the criminal history of a property.  As you may have to do this when looking for a new home, you might consider using an online retrieval system to keep your family safe.  Learn how to find the criminal history of a property now.

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2 Sep
2009
Why You Must Know How to Find Out about the Death of Someone in the House You Might Buy

You may find it to your advantage to learn how to find out about the death of someone if you are buying a property.  Is the home you just bought haunted?  Did you find out from the neighbors after you moved in that something may have happened here that lowers the resale value?  Do you live in a state with stigmatized property laws?

Stigmatized Property Laws

Not all states have the same property laws.  There is no universal formula.  In the states where property disclosure applies, the seller of a house is obligated to tell a buyer if anything happened that may stigmatize or psychologically damage the home or its value.  If this is not disclosed, the buyer can sue for damages, a lowered price, or other compensation.

Death in Home May Lower Property Value

For most people, the greatest stigmatizer is a death in a home.  Sometimes the type of death matters as well.

If you suspect that a previous owner/tenant of the place you are now living died within its confines in a way that may cause it to be haunted or at the very least lowered in value if the next buyer learns about it, you need to know the facts.

Deaths are Public Record

As a rule, deaths are public record.  You can do property history searches both online and at county archives.  The same may apply to news stories.

It is also possible to use a retrieval system to learn about the death.  This search will save you time and stress and let you quickly decide what you need to do before you buy property.  Learn how to find out about the death of someone now.


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1 Sep
2009
Why Free Vital Statistics Just Don’t Exist!

Have you ever heard the expression, “There is no such thing as a free lunch”?  Well, there is no such thing as free vital statistics documents either.  No one is going to hand over access to a database that they paid good money to create.  Too much money was invested in creating the database, running it, and maintaining it for you to use it free.

Vital Statistics Trial Offer
Frankly, this is a lure.  You may very well get to look at the database for a few days without charge, but I am certain you will be asked to give your credit card data before you do.  The company is counting on you forgetting to decline to continue after the initial period has ended.  Some of us are really good at shutting down the membership before the card is charged, others aren’t.

Even if you do remember to turn off the subscription, there is the fascination of being able to search for these documents to contend with.  Knowing that they are available, but you can no longer search for that one extra document you wanted will probably encourage you to sign up anyway.

Upfront and Honest Records Research Website
If you are going to deal with someone, don’t you want them to be honest with you?  I know I do.  I never do business with companies that offer a “free trial” but require a credit card number.  I don’t like the feeling of being a step away from being scammed.

Good search companies will tell you upfront what your costs will be.  Granted these aren’t certified copies that can be used for legal purposes, but for general information, they can’t be beat.

So, before you get taken in with an offer for free vital statistics documents, search for a good, honest search service and do business with them instead.  You won’t regret it.

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