How to Find the Owner of a Property in Texas

Whether You’re a Buyer, Investor, or Curious Neighbor — Here’s How to Discover Who Owns That Property Have you ever driven past a vacant home, a run-down building, or a piece of land in the perfect location and wondered: “Who owns that property?”

Whether you’re a real estate investor, wholesaler, potential buyer, or someone interested in learning more about your neighborhood, finding the owner of a property in Texas is easier than you think — if you know where to look.

In this blog post, we’ll show you five reliable methods to find property ownership information in Texas, both free and paid. Plus, we’ll share tips on how VIP Realty can assist you in connecting with property owners for potential deals or investment

Why Find Out Who Owns a Prperty?

There are several reasons you may want to research a property owner in Texas:

• You want to make an unsolicited offer on a home or land

• You're a wholesaler or investor looking for distressed or off-market properties

• You need to confirm ownership for a potential deal

• You're interested in neighbor disputes or zoning concerns

• You want to explore inherited or vacant property leads

Knowing the owner allows you to start a conversation, send a letter of intent, or simply understand the property’s history.

Method 1: Check the County Appraisal District (CAD) Website

Every property in Texas is assessed by a County Appraisal District, and their websites often include public ownership information.

How It Works:

• Go to the CAD website for the county where the property is located

• Search by address, owner name, or property ID

• View property details, owner name, mailing address, and property characteristics

Example CAD Sites:

• Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD)

• Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD)

• Travis County Appraisal District

• Bexar County Appraisal District (San Antonio)

Pros: Free, fast, and accurate.
⚠️ Cons: May not show recent ownership changes. Mailing address may differ from property address.

Method 2: Access County Clerk or Recorder Records

The County Clerk or Recorder’s office keeps track of deed filings, liens, transfers, and legal documents tied to ownership.

How It Works:

• Visit the County Clerk website or physical office

• Search by grantor/grantee name, document number, or property address

• Look for the most recent deed or warranty deed, which shows current legal ownership

Some counties now offer online access or subscription portals (e.g., Travis County's Real Property Records portal).

Pros: Legal proof of ownership, including dates and transfer history
⚠️ Cons: Can be harder to search without full names or document details

Method 3: Use a Property Data Aggregator (Paid Option)

If you want faster results or need to look up multiple properties at once, paid tools can save time.

Best Tools:

• PropStream

• BatchLeads

• PropertyRadar

• Reonomy (for commercial property owners)

These platforms aggregate data from appraisal districts, public records, and private databases. Many offer:

• Owner name & contact info

• Property valuation

• Tax history

• Mortgage & lien data

• Owner phone/email (for skip tracing)

Pros: Deep data, bulk searching, marketing integrations
⚠️ Cons: Monthly cost; accuracy varies slightly per source

✉️ Method 4: Send a Letter to the Owner’s Mailing Address

This is one of the most underrated but effective ways to connect with a property owner — especially when the home is vacant or unlisted.

How It Works:

• Use the CAD website to find the mailing address

• Write a simple letter of interest, expressing your desire to purchase or ask about the property

• Include your name, phone number, and reason for reaching out

• Send via certified mail or hand-deliver if appropriate

Example letter snippet:

Hello, my name is Richard and I’m interested in potentially purchasing your property located at [address]. If you’d be open to discussing options, please contact me at [phone/email]. I’m flexible and can work on your timeline.

Pros: Direct contact. Works well with inherited or absentee-owned homes.
⚠️ Cons: Not every letter gets a reply. Best paired with skip tracing or follow-up tools.

Method 5: Use Skip Tracing for Direct Contact Info

If you need to call, text, or email the property owner — especially if it’s off-market — use a skip tracing service to uncover accurate contact data.

What is Skip Tracing?

Skip tracing uses public databases, social records, and digital footprints to connect names to:

• Phone numbers

• Email addresses

• Previous addresses

• Business affiliations

Tools for Skip Tracing:

• BeenVerified or WhitePages Premium (for casual use)

• PropStream or BatchSkipTracing (for investors & agents)

Pros: Great for direct outreach; fast results
⚠️ Cons: Paid service; occasional mismatches or outdated data

⚖️ Is It Legal to Look Up a Property Owner?

Yes — in Texas, property ownership is public record.
Anyone can access basic property records, and most real estate professionals use this information regularly. Just remember:

• Use data ethically (e.g., for offers or research — not harassment)

• Respect owner privacy, especially with phone/email contact

• Always disclose your intent if you're mailing or calling as an investor or agent

How VIP Realty Helps You Find Off-Market Properties & Owners

At VIP Realty, we specialize in helping buyers and investors uncover hidden opportunities — including off-market deals, absentee-owner homes, and distressed properties.

Here’s how we can help:

• ✅ Identify owner information for residential & commercial properties

• ✅ Use our in-house tools to skip trace and make introductions

• ✅ Provide letters, scripts, or marketing material to connect with owners

• ✅ Analyze the value, equity, and negotiation potential of the property

• ✅ Help you structure a fair and compliant offer

Whether you’re trying to buy your dream home before it hits the market — or looking to find a distressed property to flip — our team has the resources, experience, and technology to help.

✅ Bonus Tip: Combine Methods for Best Results

No single method works 100% of the time. Instead, stack 2–3 of the strategies above for better results.

For example:

1. Search the CAD for the owner’s name and mailing address.

2. Check the County Clerk’s deed records to confirm legal ownership.

3. Use skip tracing to get a phone number and send a follow-up letter.

Consistency wins.

Final Thoughts

Property ownership data is more accessible than ever — and if you're persistent, respectful, and strategic, you can uncover hidden opportunities others miss.

Whether you’re a buyer who spotted the perfect home, an investor building a portfolio, or a neighbor with a zoning concern — these methods give you the power to act.

And if you want a partner to help you skip the grunt work, reach out to VIP Realty.

We don’t just help clients buy and sell homes — we help them find opportunities.