How to Access Property Records in Idaho

What Information Can You Find in Idaho Property Records?

A thorough property history search will unveil many interesting facts about a piece of property or its owners. Some records will have more detail, and some will have less. There may also be some overlap between records.

Some of the things that a property history search may reveal include:

Deeds and Conveyance Records

Deeds and conveyance records are extremely common and are familiar to most people. Deeds transfer property between two people or entities. If ownership is questioned, deeds can also verify who owns the property.

All parties must sign deeds, and a notary must witness them. Some of the information contained in 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.
• Much of the language contained in deeds refers to the warranty implied or specified and the conveyance of the land from one or more parties to another.

Property Tax Records

Property owners in Idaho must pay annual property taxes. Each county sets its own tax rate, and it varies somewhat. The local county assessor determines each homeowner's taxes. Idaho's average effective property tax rate is .754% of the property's value. A typical homeowner pays about $1,817 in taxes.

If you fail to pay your annual property taxes in Idaho, the county can impose a tax lien on the property, eventually foreclose on it, and sell it at auction to pay off the unpaid taxes.

After an assessor calculates taxes for a property, they send a notice or record showing the following information:

• Tax Rates - Tax rates are bound to change based on various factors, and different areas have various tax rates.
• Market or Assessed Value - The assessed value is the basis for calculating property tax. Therefore, it should appear in the tax record.
• Tax Payment History - The Commission tracks tax payments to ensure taxpayers do not default. Therefore, the record will show a history of the payments made, noting the payment dates and amounts.
• Exemptions - Property taxes usually exclude any exemptions that apply to the property. The record should indicate the exemptions and their amount.

How Often is Property Tax in Idaho Assessed?

County Assessors estimate how much buyers would pay for the property as of January 1st. They assess the values at 100% of the market value, less any exemptions. Each assessor has their own process for conducting the assessment. However, the general process is as follows:

• Valuation - The county assessor determines the market value for each property. Assessors consider features such as size, quality of construction, location, and condition.
• Exemptions - The assessor then determines any exemptions that apply to the properties. Homeowners can check with the county assessor's office to see if any property exemptions apply.
• Tax Calculations - The tax districts set their taxing rates, which the assessor uses to calculate the property's taxes. The county treasurer then creates a property tax bill, which is mailed to the owner.
• Review and Appeals - Property owners review the bill for accuracy and may consult with the county assessor's office or appeal to the Board of Equalization. If not, they may clear the tax bill as advised.

Building Permits and Regulations in Idaho

Building permits are handled at the state level because the government is a unified system (rare in the U.S.). You can obtain building permits directly through the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses. This works for both contractors and homeowners alike.

Property Liens and Encumbrances in Idaho

Liens are encumbrances that appear in property records. Some are less serious, but others can lead to foreclosure and the loss of the home. They also stain the owner's reputation and lower the home's value. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those that you have control over, like mortgage or home equity loans, where you agree to a lien in return for a bank lending you money.

• Mortgage Liens - Mortgage liens are very common. Anyone who borrows money to buy a home will have a mortgage lien. You essentially use your home as collateral for the loan. However, if you fail to pay the mortgage for three months or more, the lender will foreclose and sell your house to get their money back.

  Mortgage records will contain the following information:

  • Loan Terms - The document will outline the loan terms, including how long they remain in effect.
  • Loan Amount - The document will show the amount initially borrowed and the total amount to be paid. The repayment amount is based on the interest rate.
  • Loan Repayment Schedule - Every loan has a payment schedule that should appear in the mortgage document. Depending on the amount and lending agency, it can be monthly, weekly, or bi-monthly.
  • Property Description - If relevant, the document will describe the property, including the physical address, plot number, and dimensions.
  • Roles - The document must specify details of the lender and the creditor. It will also show their responsibilities and rights.
  • Penalties - If the lender fails to pay, the document should stipulate the types of penalties they face.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are beyond your control and result from a debt that you owe. These types almost always result in foreclosure and the loss of the home.

• Mechanic's Liens - When contractors, subs, landscapers, laborers, or material suppliers work on your home and you refuse to pay them, they can place a mechanic's lien on your property. To enforce the lien, they must sue you in court. If they win, they can foreclose and get paid from the proceeds of the sale of your home.
• Tax Liens - The county can impose a tax lien when you don't pay your annual property taxes. If the situation is not resolved quickly, the county will foreclose and sell your house at auction to collect the taxes.
• Judgment Liens - Creditors can use a judgment lien to get paid a debt you owe. They, too, must take you to court and sue. If they win, they can foreclose and sell the property to pay off the debt.

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants are also part of property records in Idaho. Easements are rights of way that allow someone other than the owner to access the property whenever they like. An example would be a wireless company with towers installed on private land. The company can enter and maintain the towers whenever it needs to.

Covenants are restrictions on how the property can be used. You see these in gated communities and condos. For example, you might not be able to have a dog or cat in the development.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are both types of maps. The difference is that plats show the boundaries of neighboring properties, and surveys show only the boundaries of a single property. Plats and surveys often accompany deeds.

Types of property surveys in Idaho include:

• Mortgage Survey - This is simple and widespread in the state. It determines land boundaries and building locations and shows no property encroachment.
• Boundary Survey - This attempts to establish or reestablish property corners and boundary lines. It is ideal for buying or selling land.
• Topographic Survey - This shows the elevations and contours of the land and depicts its physical features. The information is necessary for planning and designing future projects.
• Construction Survey - A construction survey is necessary for building a new property or structure.
• Natural Resource Survey - This is necessary when a company establishes a new oil well or mine to extract minerals and other resources.

Property Descriptions and Boundaries in Idaho

Every piece of real property has its own legal property description. The legal description includes map coordinates and a written description that includes natural landmarks so anyone can find them easily. These descriptions appear in property records like deeds, mortgages, appraisals, surveys, and building permits.

Surveys measure the land to determine the proper boundaries. They are used before new construction and utility installation and sometimes during boundary disputes.

Boundary disputes are pretty common. They occur when a neighbor thinks another is trespassing on their land. These often end up in court, where a judge must decide the outcome. The courts will enlist the help of a professional surveyor to measure the land and determine where the boundaries lie.

Foreclosures

Foreclosures appear in Idaho property records. These homes are valued at less than fair market value because the lienholder wants to sell them quickly to get paid what they are owed. Most buyers want to avoid the hassles associated with foreclosure properties.

Pre-foreclosure homes also show up in property records. These homes are in foreclosure but have yet to be sold at auction. There is a window of opportunity for the owner to sell to an investor or a short sale to end the foreclosure and resolve the debt.