how to find out who built my house

Many homeowners are curious to find out who built their house. The history of the land and home are very telling about a property. Fining out the full history of your property can provide you with valuable insights that could be useful for the future. Can you find out who constructed your home online?

Here, we uncover how to find out who built your house and where to locate property records online.

The Importance of Knowing Who Built Your House

“Why does it matter who built my house?”

Great question! A builder’s reputation can offer valuable information about the quality and durability of your home. If you’re dealing with pesky repairs that are due to the actual structure of your property, knowing who built it can provide clarity on what to do. Remodeling a home that is in rough shape is not cheap! Additionally, understanding the history of your property can add layers of appreciation for its architecture, design, and even its quirks.

Knowing its historical context can even enhance its market value. If your property is located in a historical area, that will help you sell it. Expect offers to be higher when there is an interesting history behind your property.

How Do You Figure Out Who Built a House?

For those trying to figure out who built a house, online will be your best place to start. However, there are several ways to leverage the internet to find out detailed property history. Each offers its own unique house details. By doing enough online research, you’ll find out who built your house and learn more about its history.

### Search Public Records

Your local county clerk’s office or land registry is a treasure trove of information. These offices maintain records that go back decades (sometimes centuries) and are open to the public.

Public records can include details on:

You’ll be surprised how much detailed property history you can find through public records.

1. Find Who Built Your Home Through Online Resources

The digital age has brought a wealth of information to our fingertips. Real estate websites like Zillow often provide extensive historical data on properties. This is a good place to start and is free to use. The National Register of Historic Places can also be a helpful resource if your home is older. Plug in your address and watch the layers of history unfold before you.

2. Local Library

Don’t underestimate the value of your local library! Many libraries have special collections and archives that contain a wealth of historical information about local properties. Old newspapers, city directories, and land deeds can all provide valuable clues about who built your home. You may even come across photographs that provide more context about your home’s history.

3. Architectural Plans

Physical attributes of a house can provide important details that can help you determine who built it. Special architectural elements could point to a specific builder known for such features. Use your context clues when trying to figure out who built your house! If your home is custom-built, you may find a plaque indicating who the architect is. Additionally, blueprints or original building plans can offer detailed information about its creation.

4. Previous Owners or Long-Time Residents

Local history often goes hand in hand with individual property history. Speaking with long-term residents can offer nuggets of information that aren’t documented anywhere. Talk to your neighbors to figure out the mystery of who built your house and when they did it.

Previous owners may know who constructed your home. Long-term neighbors, especially in older communities, probably know more than you expect about the property history.

How to Find Out Who Built My House in California

For those living in California, resources for property history are abundant. The California Historical Society is a great starting point for statewide records. City-specific resources also easy to find, but you must go to specific city or county websites.

For example, the city of San Diego offers property history and information on their Assessor and County Clerk website. You can find tons of details here about your California home, sometimes including who built it. If you are trying to sell your San Diego home fast, knowing the builder can help. Details about the property’s history will make buyers feel more comfortable about purchasing it from you.

Title companies are also a great resource to learn more about a property’s history in California. You can pull a title report, which shows tons of information, including the good and the bad. For example, unpaid liens will show up on a title search. That isn’t necessarily what you want to find out about when looking into your own property!

Figuring Out the Puzzle of Your Property’s History

Trying to determine who built your house is a massive puzzle. There are tons on online tools, property assessor sites, and resources to research. You can find builder information and property history on the internet if you know where to look! Once you find out who built your house, you can use that information for your benefit.