How to Search for Indianapolis Property Records

Indianapolis property records are public; you can search for them and make copies anytime. Some of the information you can find is ownership history, deeds, liens, zoning, foreclosures, building permits, plats, maps, and much more. The key is finding the property records you need using the right resources. Below are the places to look for property records.

Indy.Gov Website

The Indianapolis local government created a website with a search tool. You can use the owner's name, address, parcel number, or document type to find a property. This office also provides other search options, some of which are free and some of which are paid.

Indiana Department of Administration.

The Indiana Department of Administration is another resource for property maps, plats, property facts, surplus real estate, and aerial photography of Indianapolis property.

Marion County Recorder's Office

Marion County, where Indianapolis is located, has created an online database for property records. The Marion County Recorder's Office is the agency responsible for recording, filing, and maintaining many types of property records, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and foreclosure notices. You can search using their website, call them by phone, or visit their office at 200 E. Washington Street, Suite T-741, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Marion County Treasurer's Office

The Marion County Treasurer's Office is the entity that bills and collects property taxes. You can find property assessments, tax bills, tax liens, and more information by contacting them.

Marion Superior Court

The Marion County Superior Court is another property records repository where you can find liens (judgment/mechanic's), foreclosures, bankruptcies, probate cases, and other property-related cases.

Indianapolis property taxes are a major source of funding for local government. They pay for water, sewer, libraries, schools, road maintenance, health and hospital services, public transportation, and other local government services. As these costs increase, taxes also rise to meet the demand. The Marion County Treasurer's Office is the government office responsible for collecting property taxes and sending out bills. You can even pay your property tax online through their website. You can also pay by lockbox, mail, phone, text, and drop box. Contact their office at (317) 327-4444 for more information.

Assessments

Indianapolis uses "mass appraisal techniques" which compare similar homes to determine the property value for tax purposes. Tax assessments used to be performed every five to ten years, but they are now done annually. Homeowners who do not agree with their home's assessment may appeal through the Indiana Board of Tax Review. Read more about the appeals process on their website.

Appraisals

Property appraisals are another type of property valuation. They use various methods, the most common of which is the comparison method, which is most like the Indianapolis assessment process. Lenders, probate courts, and estate planners use appraisals to value property. If an Indianapolis assessor has issues evaluating a piece of property, they can hire a certified appraiser to help.

Tax Rates

Indiana's statewide property tax rate is an average of 0.75%, which is far less than the national average of 0.99%. However, Indianapolis's median property tax rate is quite a bit higher (1.19%). Tax rates fluctuate within the state based on where you live. For example:

• Benton County 1.41%
• Clark County 2.18%
• Dearborn County 2.16%
• Floyd County 1.68%
• Hamilton County 2.02%
• Monroe County 1.57%
• Orange County 1.52%
• Randolph County 1.93%
• Sullivan County 2.5%
• Washington County 1.84%

Relatively, Indianapolis' tax rate is lower than that of many other counties in the state of Indiana.

Exemptions

With property taxes rising nationwide, homeowners sometimes need a bit of help. The city of Indianapolis offers certain qualified individuals a tax break. These are called exemptions/deductions. The available exemptions in Indianapolis include:

• Homestead Deduction
• Over 65 Deduction
• Veterans Deduction
• Disabled Person Deduction
• Rehabilitated Property Deduction
• Historical Rehabilitated Property Deduction
• Heritage Barn Deduction

Visit the Department of Local Government Finance to download the application form and submit it for review for any of these deductions.

You need a building permit before building a new residential house or commercial building, renovating a structure, or demolishing one. The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services in Indianapolis is responsible for issuing permits to qualified individuals. You can visit their offices located at 1200 S Madison Ave, Indianapolis, Suite 100, to apply. You must provide supporting documentation, including construction plans, materials lists, blueprints, and others. Some of the available permits in Indianapolis include:

• Improvement Location
• Structural
• Drainage
• Driveway
• Electrical
• Wrecking
• Plumbing
• HVAC
• Flood Permit

All permit work must be inspected throughout the project to ensure it complies with local safety and building codes. To schedule an inspection, call Indianapolis' automated number: 317-327-5525. Be sure to have your permit number, type of inspection, and address handy when calling.

Indianapolis, Indiana, has a population of 879,293 residents. The city has a total of 930,611, including vacant units. The number of owner-occupied units is 545,951, and the total of renter-occupied is 277,043. The Metro area is facing a severe housing unit shortage. The city issues 8,765 new building permits per year, but it has not solved the deficit problem. The types of available housing units in Indianapolis include single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, condos, historic houses, duplexes, efficiency/studio apartments, and affordable rentals. The median price of a home in Indianapolis is $231,197, with an average list price of $256,600. Different parts of Indianapolis dictate the actual price, for example:

• Near Northside (46202) $407,551
• Downtown (46204) $353,805
• Fountain Square (46203) $268,386
• South Franklin (46259) $330,000
• Galludet (46237) $342.500
• Near Eastside (46201) $156,051
• Near Southside (46107) $198,407
• Christian Park (46218) $126,662
• Martindale-Brightwood (46220) $105,048
• Near NW-Riverside (46254) $111,786
• Mapleton-Fall Creek (46205) $253,753

The Indianapolis housing market is up, with prices increasing by 8.2% annually. Houses generally stay on the market for around 21 days, and an average of 855 houses sell each year in Indianapolis.