Posts: 4,855
Threads: 581
Joined: Jun 2025
Reputation:
1
I think we could tell from zfritz' post that the info Peter was asking about was not available online in fritz's city.
M A V I C (damn that sucks to type), there's a big difference between moving these things online, and digging out obscure records which will probably never figure in to current and future transactions, and having it all inputted.
In Chicago you can find a lot of info online, but sales info is rarely available beyond 5 or 10 years back and I kind of don't blame them for not inputting all the other stuff, although I'd probably use it all the time.
Peter, I think floorplans is asking a lot-- they'd have to convert a several foot by sdeveral foot blueprint.
Posts: 2,156
Threads: 318
Joined: Nov 2017
I guess it pays to be friends with architects and urban planners:
http://www.propertyshark.com/
You can get {almost} all the info you want on a house just sign up for a free account. It shows how much the person paid for it and when throughout the past 60 years or so depending on how well records were kept. No floorplans though. Maps, toxic/leak info, owners, etc.
You can thank me in prime rib and Mint Cookies & Cream ice cream.
Posts: 12,924
Threads: 470
Joined: Feb 2010
Reputation:
0
[quote M A V I C]In the area I live, my understanding is they did a cost-benefit analysis. They looked at how many man hours it would take to continue doing everything the old way vs. moving to a new system which would be digital and allow for online searching. They realized the new system would quickly pay for itself so it was implemented.
I guess you didn't read what I wrote, everyone has gone digital, it is cheaper, I was talking about inputting the last 150 years of paperwork, not moving forward with digital.
BGnR
Posts: 42,600
Threads: 545
Joined: Nov 2023
Reputation:
0
They did go backwards and input at least some old data here in our county. My house was built in '68, and all the info is there.
Posts: 31,030
Threads: 2,688
Joined: May 2025
peter, did you try the Middlesex Register of Deeds on Cambridge St?
otherwise, the Assessing Office in the city or Historical (one of the BEST historical offices in the state, if not the nation) will most likely have the info
Posts: 42,600
Threads: 545
Joined: Nov 2023
Reputation:
0
Middlesex.....not great sex, not bad sex, but middlesex.
Posts: 21,859
Threads: 1,734
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
[quote BigGuynRusty]
I guess you didn't read what I wrote, everyone has gone digital, it is cheaper, I was talking about inputting the last 150 years of paperwork, not moving forward with digital.
Maintain/servicing/keeping track of the paper copies has also shown to be a big waste of resources.
Posts: 4,855
Threads: 581
Joined: Jun 2025
Reputation:
1
[quote trisho.]I guess it pays to be friends with architects and urban planners:
http://www.propertyshark.com/
You can get {almost} all the info you want on a house just sign up for a free account. It shows how much the person paid for it and when throughout the past 60 years or so depending on how well records were kept. No floorplans though. Maps, toxic/leak info, owners, etc.
You can thank me in prime rib and Mint Cookies & Cream ice cream.
I just get a blank white page, but the little shark fin in the URL bar is adorable.
Posts: 22,225
Threads: 2,842
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
1
Hi guys,
Just a little followup...
PropertyShark (thanks trisho) unfortunately only seems to have a few states, and only the major cities in each state. So for example it has Boston, but not Cambridge. The Cambridge Assessor's office online has an unbelievable amount of data on every property, including photos, etc....
Also, of course, it would be nice to be able to look at other places out of state, not just my own little corner neck of the woods. There seems to be quite a lot of variation of how much info each city puts online.
Middlesex -- yes, the sex is middling, not bad, but not great. 
Posts: 12,924
Threads: 470
Joined: Feb 2010
Reputation:
0
[quote M A V I C]Maintain/servicing/keeping track of the paper copies has also shown to be a big waste of resources.
Yeppers, but who is gonna pay over the amount they already pay in taxes to scan in the last 150 years of paperwork? I know I would, but I am a person that is willing to pay for more cops in L.A. County. I am in the minority.
BGnR
What maintenance costs?
Letting them rot in the box costs nothing.
Servicing?
Letting them rot in the box costs nothing.
Keeping Track?
Letting them rot in the box costs nothing.
I am a HUGE proponent of keeping this information around, and vital. But a lot of folks don't want to pay for something until it directly affects them.
|
