How to Access Property Records in Michigan

What Information Can You Find

Property records are used for various purposes, such as real estate transactions, ownership transfers, property taxes, etc. The information contained within them varies based on the document type and the reason it was created. Some of the information you can find in property data include:

Instant Access to Michigan Property Records Online

Search by address, zip code, name, and parcel ID to access ownership details, deed records, loans & liens, values, taxes, building permits, purchase history, property details, and more! Property data also contains other information. This is simply a short list of the most common items.

Deeds and Conveyance Records

A deed is a legal document that transfers ownership of property from one person or entity to another. When real property is bought, sold, or transferred for any reason (including inheritance or gifting), the deed must be signed by all the involved parties, notarized, and filed with the county Register of Deeds. Key information you can find on deeds includes

• Name of the seller/grantor and buyer/grantee.
• A detailed, legal description of the property.
• Boundary surveys or plat references.
• Conveyance language explaining the ownership transfer from one person or entity to another.
• Signatures and notarization (usually at the bottom), validating the transfer.

Property Tax Records

Property taxes are a mandatory annual expense for Michigan homeowners. Michigan has a median effective property tax rate of 1.07%, slightly higher than the national median of 1.02%. However, the average annual tax bill is about $1,795, lower than the national average of $2,400. Each county’s treasurer’s office handles tax collection and bills homeowners for their share. These taxes pay for essential local government services, like police and fire departments, EMTs, road maintenance, schools, and public parks.

A typical property tax record in Michigan usually contains 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 and other vital 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 based 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?

Michigan law requires annual assessments of all real property across the state to determine taxable value. These assessments are conducted at the county level by local assessor’s offices, which are responsible for identifying and valuing each real property in their jurisdiction. While assessment procedures vary by county, the process generally includes the following steps:

• Data Collection: The assessors gather important data about the properties, such as land size, building dimensions, physical characteristics, improvements, construction costs, and other relevant information.
• Valuation: Mass appraisal methods are applied to estimate the property’s “true cash value” (market value). This usually involves a market analysis of recent sales of similar properties in the area (the assessors may also consider the income the property earns or could earn). Properties are usually assessed at 50% of their true cash value.
• Notifications: The assessor’s office sends official notices to the property owners with their assessed values.
• Appeals: Property owners who do not agree with the assessment are given the opportunity to appeal within a set timeframe.

Property Liens and Encumbrances in Michigan

Liens are legal claims (encumbrances) placed on a property to secure repayment of a debt. They may arise from mortgages, unpaid taxes, court judgments, or unpaid services such as construction work. Properties with active liens may be difficult to sell or transfer until the debt is resolved and the lien is removed.

Liens can appear in mortgage records, deeds, foreclosure documents, and court filings. Multiple liens on a property may indicate financial distress and make it a risky investment. Investors sometimes use public lien data to identify distressed properties, buy them at low prices, and then resell them for a profit after clearing the liens.

In Michigan, there are two main types of liens: Voluntary and Involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

These are liens that you freely agree to and accept. Mortgages are the most common type of voluntary liens; anyone who cannot afford to pay cash for a home usually needs one. When you take out a mortgage against your home, you agree to allow the lender to put a lien on it. This lien is insurance if you don't repay the loan, allowing the lender to seize the property and sell it in foreclosure. Mortgage liens typically include details like

• Borrower (mortgagor) and lender (mortgagee) names
• Original loan amount, total amount owed (payable), and the interest rates
• Loan terms and repayment schedule
• A description of the property
• The mortgage's priority over other liens on the property
• Foreclosure provisions for default
• Records of transfers between lenders or satisfaction of the mortgage (assignments or releases)

Home equity loans/lines of credit are another common type of voluntary lien. They are similar to mortgages and are tied to borrowing against your property’s equity; home equity loan records also provide similar information as mortgage lien records.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are liens placed on property without the owner’s agreement, meaning that you have no control over them. These liens are usually imposed due to unpaid debts or legal judgments. There are several types of involuntary liens in Michigan, including

• Mechanic’s Liens: If you hire contractors or suppliers and don’t pay them, they can file a mechanic’s lien against your property. This lien gives them a legal claim (against the property) until you settle the debt. While it’s active, you may find it difficult to sell or refinance your home. However, the person placing the lien must follow the strict filing requirements and deadlines for it to be legally valid.
• Tax Liens: If you fall behind on property taxes, the county can put a tax lien on your home. This lien takes priority over most others, meaning you must clear it before selling or refinancing. Tax liens are very serious, and you could easily lose your home if you ignore them; if you don’t pay off the debt, the county can eventually foreclose and auction your property. Some investors specifically look for properties with tax liens on them to pick up for cheap and sell for profit.
• Judgment Liens: As the name implies, a judgment lien results from a court ruling against a property owner who owes money to a creditor. Like other types of involuntary liens, they also prevent you from transferring your property’s title or refinancing until the debt is paid. These types of liens are usually valid for five years and have to be renewed before they expire; otherwise, the creditor will no longer have a legal claim against the property. Note that a creditor holding a valid judgment lien can still initiate foreclosure proceedings on your property during the lien’s active period to recoup their losses.
• Child Support Liens: Past-due child support payments in Michigan automatically become a lien placed against the defaulting parent’s property and can be enforced by the state to collect the payments.

The Process of Property Liens in Michigan

Here’s a general step-by-step guideline for filing property liens in Michigan. Keep in mind that the exact process varies by lien type (mechanic’s, tax, judgment, child support, mortgage, etc.), so it’s important to confirm and follow the specific requirements and timelines:

• Identify the basis for the lien. Confirm the legal reason for the lien (e.g., owed payment for materials supply, court judgment, or voluntary loan agreement) and ensure that you have the legal right to file.
• Prepare the required documentation. Gather and document details about the property, owner/debtor information, the reason for the lien, and the amount owed.
• Provide preliminary notice. Depending on the type of liens, you may need to serve a preliminary notice before beginning official proceedings. For instance, subcontractors and suppliers must serve a Notice of Furnishing within 20 days of starting work before filing a mechanic’s lien, while laborers must do so within 30 days after wages were due. Other lien types may not require notice, but most creditors often notify debtors.
• Complete and notarize the lien form. Fill out the lien form with all required information, sign it, and have it notarized to validate it. Be sure to use the correct form (you can usually get these from online legal form providers, construction and contractor association websites, or by consulting an attorney).
• File/record the lien. Record the lien with the county Register of Deeds where the property is located and pay the required filing fee. Filing can usually be done in person, by mail, or electronically.
• Serve notice of the lien on the property owner. Deliver a copy of the lien to the property owner within 15 days of recording. Proof of service is usually required for enforcement.
• Maintain or enforce the lien. Take necessary action, like initiating foreclosure. Keep in mind that liens have strict deadlines that you must comply with. For instance, mechanic’s liens must be filed within 90 days of last work and enforced within 1 year, while judgment liens are valid for 5 years and can be re-recorded once.

Easements and Covenants

Easements are legal rights that allow a non-owner to use part of a property for a specific purpose. For example, a utility company may have an easement granting access to maintain power lines or cables. Easements can also cover private access rights, such as shared driveways or pathways between neighbors.

Similarly, covenants are deed restrictions that dictate how property can be used. They are common in condo developments, subdivisions, and planned communities and often govern building standards, maintenance responsibilities, or property modifications. For instance, your condo association may enforce bylaws restricting pets or limiting the types of pets allowed in the building.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are maps that outline a property’s boundaries and measurements. Plats show the layout of a subdivision, including lots, streets, and easements, while surveys focus on a specific property and precisely define its boundaries, structures, and improvements.

A standard survey typically includes:

• Property Identification: The property’s legal description, parcel ID, physical address, and other unique identifiers.
• Boundary Lines: Exact measurements, angles, and markers defining the property.
• Structures and Improvement: Placement of buildings, fences, driveways, or other features.
• Surveyor Notes: Professional observations or concerns noted during the survey.
• Encroachments/Disputes: Evidence of overlaps or conflicts with neighboring properties.
• Official Stamp/Seal: The surveyor’s name, license number, survey date, and official stamp/seal. This assures you that the survey is official.

Property Descriptions and Boundaries in Michigan

The legal property description is an integral part of property records. It identifies real property using methods such as metes and bounds, lot and block references from plats, or government survey coordinates and provides clear wording used to identify land boundaries in public records. Property descriptions are established by surveyors, developers (in plats), or attorneys and then recorded with the county where the property is located. They appear on deeds, property tax records, assessments, appraisals, plats, boundary maps, and other related documents.

Licensed surveyors conduct surveys using specialized equipment to measure and mark land boundaries to officially establish where one property ends and another begins. These surveys are commonly required for new construction, subdivisions, or to resolve boundary disputes when one person believes another is encroaching on their property. In such cases, courts frequently rely on surveys and expert testimony from the surveyor to determine ownership and settle conflicts.

Foreclosures

Foreclosures are public records that appear in various property records indexes, including court filings, mortgage documentation, and county foreclosure notices. These filings provide details about the property, debt, and sale process. Investors and buyers researching distressed properties often use foreclosure notices to evaluate opportunities, compare pricing against market values, and identify homes that may be sold below fair market value (FMV).