In a meeting this week, someone mentioned that many of the newer agents don’t know about some really important state websites (especially the lead paint registry search!) There is no doubt that the LandGlide and HomeSnap apps for your phone are a very cool resource for quick and easy parcel data and property line finder. That said, it can NOT take the place of checking legitimate sources for critical property data. Easements, surveys, rights of way or encroachments can be found in Mass Land Records, the assessor’s tax card / map and in the deed. Using state resources is an important step when listing property and when representing clients, so make sure you are familiar with the tools.

• Mass Lead Paint Registry: Look up the inspection history of a property by entering a street name or street name and number.
• Massachusetts Land Records:  Find deeds, mortgages, easements, property and personal liens and much more on this robust site where you can search by owner or by location.
• Massachusetts Interactive Property Maps:  Like a google map on steroids, this system allows you to hover over parcels and see assessors data, measure distances and plots, and more!
• Mass GIS data:  Known as Oliver, this allows interactive searching an overlays of wetland, environmental, tax and topography layers, among many others.
• Licensed Lead Inspectors:  Look up licensed inspectors by city/town, company name or individual.
• Contaminated Property Database:  Search over 44,000 hazardous waste sites by location, include simple spills during a fuel oil delivery and complex Superfund sites.
• Legal MA corporations:  From the Secretary of State, search for Inc., LLCs, LLPs, etc. by principal, location or name, view filings, officers etc..
• Sex Offender Registry:  A resource for buyer’s concerned about the location of sex offender.