Michigan Property Records

Did you know that Michigan is the only state in the U.S. with a floating post office? This floating marvel delivers mail to ships while they are traveling. The Wolverine State is also home to the world's largest weathervane. More than ten million people live in Michigan, which means millions and millions of property records.

Property records impact you as a homeowner and the state itself. The information contained within keeps everyone on the same page. You can find Michigan property records in many different places and use them for various purposes.

Keep reading this guide to learn all about property records, what they are, how they are used, the different types, how to find and change them, and how they affect you as a homeowner.

What Are Property Records in Michigan?

Property records are legal documents that contain specific information about a piece of real property and the homeowner. They are created by individuals, attorneys, realtors, title companies, the courts, and government agencies. Each type is filed and stored with specific local government offices.

Components of Property Records in Michigan

Property records are used for various things, such as real estate transactions, property ownership transfers, property taxes, and more. Therefore, the information contained within them will differ based on the type and use. Some types of information you can find in Michigan property records include:

Property Address
Detailed Legal Property Description
Current Owner's Name and Address
Historical Owners
Deeds
Liens
Tax Records
Mortgage Records
Bankruptcies
Foreclosures
Plat Maps
Surveys
Easements / Conveyances
Property Details
Lot size
Zoning
Boundary Lines

Other information can also be found in property records. This is simply a short list of the most common items.

Sources of Property Records in Michigan

Property records can be found in many places. Deeds are filed with the local county register of deeds office. Michigan has 83 counties and an office for each one. The treasury and income tax office in each county handles property taxes. For example, you can visit the Lansing, Michigan office on W. Michigan Avenue.

What is the Role of the Register of Deeds?

Because property changes hands so often, each county has its own register of deeds office to handle the filing, storing, and maintenance of deeds and other property records. According to the Alcona office, they file and store the following types of documents: "warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage assignments, mortgage discharges, land contracts, liens, lien releases, easements, right of ways, oil and gas leases, subdivision plats, surveys, land corners, and court orders that affect real property".

How Property Records are Maintained in Michigan

Each county office files, stores, and maintains records according to its own system. Anyone who buys or sells real estate in Michigan must file a new deed with the county register of deeds office. You can also visit the same office if you need to make changes.

Accessing Records at the Register of Deeds in Michigan

Property records are public records, and anyone has a right to access and review them. You can visit the local county register of deeds office in person and ask for copies. You may have to wait and pay a small fee per page.

Where are the Register of Deeds Locations in Michigan?

Michigan has 83 registers of deeds offices, making it challenging to find the one you want. The state has prepared a list in alphabetical order, so you can click on your county and see the office name, address, phone number, and link to its website. From there, you can review the office's hours of operation and directions.

You can choose your county using this list.

What are the Different Types of Property Records in Michigan?

Michigan uses many different types of property records to transfer property, measure and assess it, and calculate taxes. Some of the most commonly used property records in the state include:

Deeds and Conveyance Records

As of 2022, Michigan had 4,611,660 housing units. Deeds are legal documents that transfer ownership of property. During the sale of real property, they are signed by all parties, notarized, and clearly spell out the deal. The information you can find on deeds includes:

Name of the Seller/Grantor and Buyer/Grantee.
A detailed description of the property.
Maps and plats along with boundaries and sometimes surveys showing the acreage and edges of the property.
Conveyance language explaining the ownership transfer from one person or entity to another.
Notarization and execution are at the bottom, where everyone signs to make it legal.

Liens, Encumbrances, and Property Records in Michigan

Along with mortgages, other types of involuntary liens, also called encumbrances, affect property. When you have a property with liens on it, it can be difficult to sell or transfer to another person until they are discharged (paid off).

Voluntary Liens

Mortgage Liens

Anyone who cannot afford to pay cash for a home will need a mortgage. Mortgage records show a lot of information, such as the purchase price, down payment, loan amount, and terms (interest, etc.). When you take out a mortgage, you agree to allow the lender to put a lien on the house. The lien is insurance if you don't pay back the loan, allowing the lender to seize and sell it in foreclosure.

Some of the information in a mortgage includes:

Terms - The document will outline the loan terms, including the repayment schedule and how long it will be in effect.
Loan Amount - The record will show the initially borrowed amount plus the total repayable amount. The document should show the interest rate used to calculate the full amount.
Property Description - The document should describe or identify the property under mortgage.
Priority - The record will show the priority level of the mortgage over other liens on the property.
Default and Foreclosure - The document will show the default conditions and the foreclosure process.

Involuntary Liens

The three most common types of involuntary liens in Michigan are:

Mechanic's Liens

When a contractor, subcontractor, landscaper, laborer, or materials supplier contributes labor or materials to renovating or building on your property, if you do not pay them, they can put a lien on your property. These liens are called mechanic's liens. The lien uses the property as collateral so that the contractor will get paid. The person placing the lien must follow the strict guidelines and timetable, and they must sue you in court to start the foreclosure process.

Tax Liens

Similarly, the county can put a tax lien on your real property for unpaid property taxes. Tax liens are very serious, and you could easily lose your home if you don't pay them off. Within a short amount of time, after the lien is placed, your home will be in foreclosure and eventually sold at auction. Investors look for tax lien properties to pick up cheap and sell for profit.

Judgment Liens

Creditors also have the right to put a lien on your property for unpaid loans or overdue bills. These are called judgment liens. Judgment liens get their names from the fact that it requires a lawsuit and judgment. The creditor sues the homeowner, and if the judge rules in favor of the creditor, they can place a lien on the house. Then, after a sufficient waiting period, foreclose and sell it to recoup their losses.

How Liens Affect Property Records

Liens show up in many places, such as mortgage records, deeds, foreclosure documents, and court records. Too many liens on a property indicate that it is a bad investment. Investors use property records to find distressed properties and buy them cheaply to turn around and sell for profit.

The Process of Property Liens in Michigan

Claimants are encouraged to be careful when filing a lien. The exact process depends on the type of lien being filed. The standard approach of filing a mechanics lien in Michigan follows these steps:

Parties with direct contracts do not need to send a notice. However, all other parties must send a preliminary notice before filing the lien. The claimants have 20 days after work completion to provide the notice, 30 if they are laborers. Once the prior notice has been sent, the claimant may begin the lien filing process.
Claimants must fill the correct lien form with information such as their details, the property owner's address and personal details, the amount of the lien, a description of the property, the date of work, and signatures with notarization. The form must include text for the construction lien.
The next step is to record the lien claim with the correct fees and at the right office. Claimants should be careful during this step to avoid rejection. Filing can be done electronically, in person, or via mail as long as it comes before the deadline.
Next, the claimant must serve a copy of the lien by personal service or by certified mail to the address of the property owner. With this, the claimant can enforce the lien per state regulations.

Property Tax Records

One downside of owning a home is paying annual property taxes. The treasury and income tax office in each county handles property taxes and bills each homeowner for their share. Property taxes pay for things like police, firemen, EMTs, road maintenance, and schools. Michigan has one of the highest property tax rates in the country, at 1.32% of the home's value, which is much higher than the national average of 0.99%.

A standard property tax record in Michigan has the following information:

Assessor Calculations - The document will show the assessor's calculations to find the owed property taxes.
Property Owner Details - The record will show the property owner's name, plus other important details such as contact information.
Location of the Property - The information must show the property's location by identifying the physical address and other characteristics.
Tax/Mill Rate - The record should show the tax or mill rate applicable to the local area. Each area has a different tax or mill rate depending on budgetary needs.
Exemptions - The record should identify any exemptions applying to the property. Michigan has multiple exemptions, such as the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) Act.

How Often is Property Tax in Michigan Assessed?

By Michigan laws, assessors must assess properties annually to find the market values and, thus, the taxable values. Local assessors at the county level identify all property that requires assessment within the jurisdiction and then conduct the study to determine the property values. While there is no standard assessment process, there are procedures assessors usually follow to determine the property's value. They include:

Data Collection - The assessors gather data about the properties, such as physical characteristics, improvements on the property, construction materials, and other relevant data.
Valuation - The assessors then determine the property's value using approved methods. Often, it involves a market analysis examining the sales of similar properties recently in the area. The assessors may also consider the income the property earns or could earn.
Notifications - Next, the assessors notify the property owners of the assessment through an official notice.
Appeals - The property owners have the right to appeal their assessment value if they consider them unfair. After the appeal, the board decides on the property's assessed value, sending a tax bill to the owner.

Easements and Covenants

Easements are side notes on a deed that provide access to the property for someone other than the owner. It could be as simple as a right-of-way for a cable company with towers installed on private property. They may enter the property and access the towers without asking.

Covenants dictate how a piece of property can be used. They are most often found in condo developments. Bylaws usually dictate that you cannot have certain types of pets. That is an example of a covenant.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are maps designed to show a property's boundaries. The plat will have boundaries for neighboring properties, while the survey will focus squarely on the target property.

Standard information present in a survey includes:

Property Identification - The survey will identify the property using a plot number, physical address, and other identifiers.
Owner's Name - The record will highlight the owner's name plus other details such as contact and address.
Boundary Lines - The document should show the property's boundary lines. The boundary lines include measurements and angles.
Surveyor Notes - The surveyor will include any information they may think is important or of concern.
Boundary Disputes - The document will show any boundary disputes affecting the property.

Historical Property Records

Historical property records are useful in certain situations. Some counties offload their historical property records to an archive area. Michigan moved all its historical land records to archive services in 1994.

Michigan Titles

The property title in Michigan represents legal ownership and interest in a property. It is evidence of ownership or interest in a property. Record seekers can find property titles at the Register of Deeds Office. Property titles contain the following information:

Liens - The record should document any liens and claims against the property.
Legal Description - Titles often must include a legal description of the property.
Prior Transfers - The record may include ownership history with the names of previous owners.
Title Insurance - If issued, the document will show the title insurance with coverage details.

How Can I Search for Property Records?

Modern technology and social conveniences make it easy for you to search for and find property records in Michigan. You can try any of the methods below:

Online Property Record Search

For starters, enter the property address in Google or another search engine and see what comes up. You may find some interesting results or nothing at all. You can try other search techniques to find more information.

In-Person Property Record Search

You always have the option of visiting the county register of deeds office and asking the clerk to provide you with copies of records. They are required to supply you with public records but may charge a small fee. Be sure to bring the owner's name or full address of the property. You should visit the county office where the property is located.

Using Property Record Indexes

Many property records indexes exist that you can use to find records. Some may be realty websites, others are data collectors, and some may be archive sources. Be careful when using these; you don't know how often the content is updated or how fresh the records are.

Utilizing Commercial Services

A commercial service like PropertyChecker is the best option. It allows you to access millions of property records across the U.S. and is not limited by the number of searches. You can find everything you need about a property using this service.

How to Search Property Records by Address

The fastest way to find information is to search using the property address. Have the full address handy when using one of the sources above.

How to Search Property Records by Name

Sometimes, search portals will allow you to search by the owner's name. Gather as much information as possible when searching.

Understanding Property Ownership in Michigan

Michigan allows four types of property ownership: Tenants in Common, Tenants by the Entirety, Joint Tenants, and Joint Tenants with Full Rights of Survivorship. Each offers slightly different levels of title.

Identifying Property Owners

Property records are public records, and owner information is contained within those records. It's easy to find out who owns a piece of property by consulting public property records.

What is the Chain of Title?

The chain of title is the list of everyone who has ever owned a piece of real property. It must remain intact at all times, with no gaps. Title companies run title searches before a closing, looking for any title defects, including breaks in the chain of title.

Ownership History and Transfers

It's often essential to review the ownership history to see where any gaps occur or where any potential problems lie. Archive records can show historical owners. You may find out unexpectedly that someone famous once owned your property.

Property Descriptions and Boundaries in Michigan

The legal property description is an integral part of property records. The county where the property resides crafts a detailed property description using landmarks, plats, surveys, and other descriptors to ensure anyone can identify the real property. This description appears on many documents, including the deed, property taxes, assessments, appraisals, plats, and other boundary maps.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys are performed to measure real property. Surveyors use specialized equipment to measure and mark land boundaries to officially determine where a property ends, and another begins. They are often used in land disputes or new construction projects.

How to Find Property Survey Records

You can find property survey records with the local county register of deeds office in any of the 83 counties in Michigan. Use this resource to find the appropriate one.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Boundary disputes ensue whenever one person believes another is trespassing on their property. Often, the courts must step in and decide who owns what. Surveyors are frequently used to provide expert testimony to help the judge decide.

Property Records and Real Estate Transactions in Michigan

Property records come into play most often during real estate transactions. During the home buying or selling process, the buyer(s) may order inspections and an appraisal, creating property record documents. The title company will prepare a new deed and mortgage paperwork. After closing, the deed must be filed with the appropriate office to become legal.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

When buying a new property, you want to learn as much as possible about it. Along with ordering an appraisal and inspection, check out building permits to see if any renovations were completed. You may also want to review the ownership history to see if there are any breaks in the chain of title. A little bit of research now could save you a ton of headaches later.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When selling property in Michigan, you must disclose any material defects to prospective buyers. For example, if the house has ever had lead paint or asbestos, you must disclose that. Those are required by law. If you don't have the answers, you can check historical property records to find out.

Title Searches and Insurance

If you finance a mortgage, your lender will require that you purchase title insurance. It's essential for protecting you and the lender against title defects. Before closing, the title company or attorney handling it will run a full property title search, looking for any potential problems that could derail the sale.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Michigan

Foreclosures are also public records and appear in various property records indexes. Investors and savvy buyers look for distressed properties (those in pre-foreclosure or foreclosure) to buy for less than fair market value (FMV).

Property Records and Property Values

Values are an essential part of the equation, especially when investing or buying and selling property. Depending on the market and location, property values can fluctuate widely. Other factors also impact property values.

The average property value in Michigan is approximately $214,600, noting a growth of more than 1.5% since the previous year. Areas such as Birmingham, Pontiac, and Niles had the fastest-growing sales prices during this time. However, the median number of homes sold over the past year dropped by almost 15%.

Factors that Determine Property Values in Michigan

The following information may explain the higher property values in some areas of Michigan:

Waterfront Access - Michigan has an abundance of lakes, shorelines, and rivers. Proximity to these locations could mean water-based recreational activities and scenic views. These conditions often command higher property values. For example, cities near Lake Michigan could command higher prices.
Natural Features - Michigan has natural features such as forests, hills, and scenic landscapes. Proximity to these landscapes could mean higher property values as they are more desirable.
Location - The location of the property could increase its value. For example, areas with easy access to transportation networks could demand higher values.
Condition - The property's condition, especially if it is a home, could mean a higher asking price. Modern amenities are more favorable and thus demand higher prices.
School Districts - Proximity to good school districts could increase property values, especially for single-family homes.

Assessments and Appraisals

Property assessments and appraisals are records that determine value for different purposes. Assessments are typically used to determine the value of a home for property tax purposes. Appraisals are used in real estate deals to ensure that the value supports the loan or to help buyers make an informed decision.

Property Records and Market Value

Property records can also help you determine the fair market value by examining the values of other homes in the area. This can be useful when setting the price to sell your home.

Privacy and Property Records

Property records are public records and readily available to the general public. Anyone can request copies as long as they have the property address to look it up. You can find a lot of information online.

Accessing Public Property Records

Accessing public property records is your legal right. You can obtain records by going online, visiting any register of deeds office, or visiting the county court clerk or treasury and income tax office. You can also use a service like PropertyChecker to find records quickly and easily.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

There is no avoiding it; property records contain personal information for the owner. Although you cannot remove all your information from property records, you can request that they be pared down to a minimum. Contact record holders and have them remove any personally identifiable information (PII) like your email address, phone number, or other details. Your name and address will remain.

Why are Property Records Public?

The reason that property records are public is to ensure that no government agency has too much control over its citizens. It's to keep everything transparent and above board. That is the same reason why many government office records are public.

Maintaining and Amending Property Records

One last thing to mention is that, like all records, property records need to be maintained and sometimes amended. As the property owner, you will want to review your documents regularly and update them as necessary.

Correcting Errors on Property Records

Occasionally, property records have errors. People make mistakes, so you must correct them. Take the source document with you and visit the local county register of deeds office to request a correction.

Amending Property Records for Legal Changes

Another situation where property records need to be updated is with legal changes such as marriage or divorce. However, be sure to bring your marriage certificate or divorce decree with you to prove the change, and then they can update the deed.

How to Change the Name on Property Records in Michigan

If you need to update property records when someone dies, you can do so by getting a copy of the death certificate. The will should show the new owner, and the local county register of deeds will create a new deed to replace the old one.

What Should I Consider When Buying a Property Using Property Records?

There is a lot to consider before buying property in Michigan. You should check property records and find out all you can before laying down any of your hard-earned money. Use PropertyChecker to find out all about your chosen property within minutes.

Michigan County Property Records