Under California law, real estate agents must adhere to strict rules regarding the information they disclose about a house to prospective buyers. They have to let you know about everything from a leaky roof to how to confirm the state sex offender registry so it is possible to see just how many criminals live near a property. However, you do not have to stop using the real estate agent. There are a few ways in which you may exercise your best to find out what has happened in a house –either before you make an offer or long after you’ve moved in.
Ask the real estate agent. California law requires real estate agents to disclose details about any death that occurred on a property within the three years before the sale. Even when you are out that window, then the agent might be prepared to show more about the history of the property, from deaths in the house to natural disasters which impacted the home.
Check police documents. If you are concerned that your home has been previously a crime scene, the police could let you know what’s happened in your home before you transferred in. Most police departments will provide you a list of call-out records for your address over a definite period of time for a small charge, or even for free. From these documents, you will be able to check if your home has been the site of a violent offense, drug bust or the target of a break-in.
Visit the actions office or city hall at the county courthouse. Both areas will have public documents regarding your address which could tell you info concerning the ownership history of your house and if there was a lien against the property.
News archives. If anything particularly nefarious happened at your address, it’ll be featured in local information archives. Look online databases of the local newspaper and television channels or visit the library to navigate old print editions of this local paper.
Speak to the neighbors. They may be a fantastic source of info about what has been occurring in your home before you transferred in.