How To Search for Warren Property Records

Warren's close proximity to Detroit provides strong investment potential. However, before buying real estate in the city, it's essential to do your due diligence by reviewing property records. These documents provide valuable details, including ownership history, tax assessments, legal filings, building permits, and other helpful information for making informed investment decisions. Property records are public in Warren, which means that anyone can access and copy them. Knowing the right office to contact will make your search much smoother. Below, we've outlined several resources available for locating different types of Warren property records.

Macomb County Register of Deeds

The Macomb County Register of Deeds is a great resource for deeds, mortgages, liens, lis pendens, tax liens, and other documents essential for verifying ownership, legal status, and financial claims on properties in Warren. You can search records online for free through the Register of Deeds' website, though you must pay a fee to get copies (the office also offers subscription plans for frequent users). You may also search for records in person at the register of deeds' office at 120 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043, but you must make an appointment first. Alternatively, you can mail a Real Estate Record Search Information Form to the office to have them perform the search on your behalf. Note that search and copy fees may apply. You can call the office at (586) 469-7953 for assistance.

Warren Assessing Department

The Warren Assessing Department is responsible for valuing every property in Warren for tax purposes and is the primary source for property information in the city. This includes assessment data, property characteristics, sales history, ownership information, and tax history. The department provides access to an online property system that you can use to search for this information by address, name, or parcel number. You may also visit the department at Suite 310, One City Square, Warren, MI 48093 to access these records in person. You can call the assessing department at (586) 574-4532 for more information.

Warren Treasurer's Office

The Warren Treasurer's Office is responsible for collecting tax payments from property owners in the city, making it a good resource for property records related to tax balances, payment histories, and liens. You can visit the treasurer's office at Suite 200, One City Square, Warren, MI 48093 to access its records or call (586) 574-4542 for inquiries.

Circuit and District Courts

You can also find Warren property records related to legal actions, such as foreclosures, liens, and code enforcement cases, through the Macomb County Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court and the Thirty-Seventh District Court. Both courts offer online case search platforms on their websites that you can use to look up records by case name, number, and other criteria. You can also request copies of records directly from the courthouse where the case was heard (note that fees may apply). Here are the addresses and contact numbers for each courthouse:

Macomb County Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court:

40 N Main St.

Mt. Clemens, MI 48043.

Phone Number: (586) 469-7171.

Thirty-Seventh District Court:

8300 Common Rd.

Warren, MI 48093.

Phone Number: (586) 574-4900.

Property taxes in Warren are a vital source of funding for essential community services, including schools, public safety (like police and fire departments), and infrastructure maintenance. The Warren Assessing Department determines the taxable value for each real property in the city, while the Treasurer's Office collects tax payments from property owners. Properties in the city are assessed annually to establish their "true cash value," and their assessed value is then set at 50% of that amount. However, the taxable value, which is what your taxes are actually calculated on, is capped, meaning it can only increase by a limited amount each year unless the property changes ownership or undergoes major improvements. Each year, your property's taxable value is calculated in one of two ways: it's either the prior year's taxable value adjusted upward by a state-set Inflation Rate Multiplier or reset to match the current assessed value if the property was sold or had major improvements.

Tax bills in Warren are sent out twice a year: the first week of July (summer tax bills) and the first week of December (winter tax bills). For summer taxes, you have two options: pay the full amount by August 31st to avoid any fees, or pay in two installments. If you choose the two-installment plan, your first payment is due by August 31st. You'll then receive the bill for the second installment on December 1st, with payment due by January 31st. However, if you miss the initial August 31st deadline, you forfeit the option to pay in installments and must pay the entire remaining balance at once. In these situations, a 1% late fee will be added to the unpaid balance starting from September 1st, followed by an additional 0.5% for each subsequent month. If the summer taxes remain unpaid by February 1st, a significant 3.5% collection fee will be charged on the outstanding amount.

Winter taxes are due on December 1st, but you have a grace period to pay the full amount without penalty until the final deadline of February 28th. If you fail to pay by this date, your taxes become delinquent, and the payment must be made to the Macomb County Treasurer's Office. At this point, an additional 4% county collection fee will be added to the amount owed. A 1% monthly interest charge will also be applied for every month the tax remains unpaid, and the property will be at risk of foreclosure.

The Warren Treasurer's Office offers multiple payment options: you can pay online through their official website, which has separate portals for one-time and returning payments, or you can pay in person at Suite 200, One City Square, Warren, MI 48093.

Assessments

The Warren Assessing Department carries out annual assessments of properties in the city to determine their taxable value. This process involves collecting important details like land size, building dimensions, recent property sales in the surrounding area, and construction costs, then applying mass appraisal methods to estimate the property's true cash value (market value). A property's assessed value is set at 50% of its true cash value, but taxes are calculated using the property's taxable value. The taxable value is capped, meaning it can only rise with inflation unless the property is sold or undergoes significant improvements. This system helps limit yearly tax increases.

Property owners typically receive assessment notices in February. If you disagree with your assessment, you can first discuss it with the assessing department. If the matter is not resolved at this level, you can formally appeal to the Warren Board of Review, which meets every March (the actual meeting time varies by year and is usually indicated in your assessment notice). A final appeal can be made to the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

Appraisals

Warren assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

The median effective property tax rate in Warren, Michigan, is 1.68%, which is higher than both the national median of 1.02% and the Michigan state median of 1.07%. The city's average property tax bill is $2,636, which is also higher than the national average of $2,400.

Here's how Warren's tax rates compare to those of other counties in Michigan:

• Bay County 1.00%
• Calhoun County 1.36%
• Genesee County 0.93%
• Gogebic County 1.50%
• Ingham County 2.06%
• Kent County 0.89%
• Muskegon County 0.47%
• Oakland County 1.37%
• Ottawa County 0.90%
• Wayne County 1.44%

Exemptions

Property tax rates in Warren are higher than average, and some residents may find it difficult to keep up with payments. Thankfully, the city offers several tax exemptions designed to ease the financial burden and offer meaningful relief for eligible residents. These exemptions include:

• Principle Residence Exemption (PRE): This is available to homeowners who live in the property as their primary residence and exempts the property from school operating taxes (by up to 18 mills), significantly reducing their tax bill.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: This is available for honorably discharged veterans with a service-related disability, as well as their unremarried surviving spouses.
• Poverty Exemption: This is available for homeowners who meet specific income and asset requirements.

You can visit the Warren Assessing Department at Suite 310, One City Square, Warren, MI 48093, or call them at (586) 574-4532 for more information on these exemptions, including how to apply for one.

Permits are required for new construction and most home improvement, remodeling, or renovation work in Warren. However, exceptions are made for cosmetic or minor work that does not impact a property's structure, systems, or safety features, such as painting, carpeting, or replacing kitchen counters. Permits are issued by the Warren Building Division. You can submit applications and schedule inspections online through the division's website, or you can apply in person at the division's office at Suite 305, One City Square, Warren, MI 48093. You can also download application forms from the website to complete before heading to the office.

The types of permits available in Warren include:

• Building Permits: These are required for new construction, additions, renovations, or structural changes.
• Electrical Permits: These are required for the installation, repair, or alteration of electrical systems.
• Mechanical Permits: These are required for the installation, repair, or alteration of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
• Plumbing Permits: These are required for the installation, repair, or alteration of plumbing systems.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

As the largest suburb of Detroit and Michigan's third-largest city, Warren offers more than just its prime location. The city is a vital industrial hub and home to a variety of businesses, including major auto-industry players like the General Motors Technical Center, the Stellantis Warren Truck Assembly Plant, and the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal. Warren is also known for its rich quality of life and features local gems like the Warren Civic Theatre, an extensive park system, and the popular Warren Community Center. Warren has a population of 139,387 residents and approximately 56,962 housing units, 96% of which are occupied. Housing options in the city include single-family homes, duplexes, multi-family homes, townhouses, condos, and apartments. Common housing styles you'll find are Ranch, Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor, and Colonial Revival.

The average home price in Warren, MI, is $201,437, reflecting a 3.8% increase from previous years. Note that actual home prices can vary widely depending on the neighborhood. Here are a few examples of average prices in different Warren neighborhoods:

• Bear Creek $219,900
• Beierman Farms $239,200
• Canterbury Lane $241,000
• Heritage Village $237,000
• Warren Woods $278,000

The Warren, Michigan, real estate market is competitive. Prices have shown steady growth over the years, and homes generally go under contract in an average of 13 days after listing. Many homes receive multiple offers, and roughly 43.7% sell above the listing price, indicating strong buyer interest (though bidding wars are less common or intense than in nearby Detroit suburbs). With its affordability, proximity to major employers, and variety of housing, the city remains a solid choice for both buyers and investors.