How to Search for Mesa Property Records

Always do your homework before buying property. Thankfully, dozens of property records are publicly available, including ownership history, property values, taxes, liens, amenities, house type, foreclosures, and zoning, to make your research easier. Mesa property records are accessible to the public. The key to finding Mesa property records is knowing where to look. Below, we have detailed every resource available to help you find specific property records for various purposes.

Maricopa County Recorder's Office

One of the best places to look for Mesa property records is the Maricopa County Recorder's Office. Here, you can easily access various types of records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, and other property-related documents. The county has a robust database and search engine allowing you to search by document number, book and page number, business name, individual's name, document code, and dates. You can also run a broad text search if you're not sure what you're looking for. The website also includes maps that can be accessed through a book and page search. If you don't want to use the online system, you can also search for records in person by visiting them at 301 West Jefferson Street, Second Floor, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ.

Maricopa County Assessor's Office

The Maricopa County Assessor's Office is responsible for assessing and billing property taxes for more than 1.8 million real property parcels worth over $1 trillion. The office has a website featuring a Parcel Viewer, which enables the public to select parcels of land from a map and view details about the properties. You can also search by parcel number, street name, street number, direction, and street type. The website also features an Assessor Lookup tool, which enables you to research property details and sales data. You can find property assessed values, taxes, and other related data here.

City of Mesa Records Repository

The city of Mesa also has a Public Records Request website, which provides links to commonly requested records, including building permits, zoning information, site development plans, certificates of occupancy, parcel information, and purchase contracts. You can also find additional information there, as well as links to other relevant agencies.

Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court

Maricopa County Superior Courts also have a website and search tool where you can find details about cases, including bankruptcy, liens, foreclosure, and property disputes. You can also find probate court cases, as well as cases involving criminal and family matters. Using this tool, you can search by a person's name (first and last), a business name, or a case number.

Maricopa County Treasurer's Office

Maricopa County has a Treasurer's Office with a Research Request tool that the public can use to find records. Again, you can search by property owner's name, address, parcel #, or tax year and find information about property bills, taxes, and assessed values.

Mesa property taxes fund city expenses like local government budgets, schools, community colleges, special taxing districts, healthcare, fire, police, EMTs, public parks, transportation, road maintenance, and many other city services. Property values are assessed annually by Maricopa County or the State of Arizona. They use comparable sales within the past two to three years to determine the value of Mesa property. Although the Maricopa County Tax Assessor and Treasurer's Office work together to value the property and bill for taxes, both are governed by the Arizona Department of Revenue. The first property tax payment is due October 1st, and the second tax payment is due March 1st. If the Treasurer's Office does not receive them by May 1st, the property is considered delinquent, and the property owner will be charged interest. If they remain unpaid for an extended period, the county may place a lien on the property and initiate foreclosure proceedings. Maricopa County offers several ways to pay property taxes including online, (E-Check via Bill Pay using your bank), E-Check via the website, credit card payments (JP Digital Bill Payments), in person at any one of the branch offices, or by mail by sending your payment to Maricopa County Treasurer, PO Box 52133, Phoenix, AZ 85072-2133.

Assessments

Arizona has two types of property taxes, primary and secondary. The city of Mesa does not collect a primary tax; however, it does collect secondary taxes. Mesa property taxes are billed and paid to the Maricopa County Treasurer's Office. Secondary taxes primarily fund public works projects like parks, recreation, libraries, public safety, and transportation. Maricopa County assesses property once annually, and the new amounts are billed the following year.

Appraisals

The city of Mesa uses an appraisal-type approach to valuing property. The county or state determines the fair market value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold within the last two to three years. In cases involving unusual structures or new construction, the county may consult with an appraiser to assist in determining the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also utilize appraisals to determine the value of real property.

Tax Rates

Mesa, Arizona, has a median tax rate of 0.49% which is significantly lower than the national median rate of 1.02% and slightly lower than Arizona's state median of 0.56%. Mesa property taxes are based on a percentage of the home's value. The city's tax rate is comparatively lower than that of other cities, due to its tighter budgets and lower cost of living. Mesa's property tax rates compare to other counties in Arizona as follows:

• Apache County 0.84%
• Cochise County 0.51%
• Gila County 0.61%
• Graham County 0.60%
• Greenlee County 0.37%
• La Paz County 0.65%
• Mohave County 0.51%
• Pima County 0.84%
• Santa Cruz County 0.67%
• Yavapai County 0.47%
• Yuma County 0.73%

Exemptions

Although Mesa property taxes are relatively low, some residents still need a little help paying for them. Thankfully, Maricopa County offers qualified individuals some exemptions that can help. The Maricopa County Tax Assessor's office is responsible for approving and allowing exemptions to assist qualified individuals. The available exemptions in Mesa, Arizona, include the following:

• Senior Tax Deferral: If you qualify, you can defer payment of your property taxes until the property is sold, you pass away, or the property becomes income-producing.
• Person with Total and Permanent Disability: To qualify for this exemption, you must be certified as totally and permanently disabled by a licensed professional. The disability may be physical or mental.
• Widow or Widower: This exemption can provide a $3,000 reduction in the assessed value of the property, thus reducing the tax burden. It is also based on household income, and you must provide documentation to prove your total annual income.
• Honorably Discharged Veteran with a Service or Nonservice Connected Disability: To qualify for this exemption, you must be certified as totally and permanently disabled by the VA (Veterans Administration). Based on their VA rating, the veteran may be eligible for a portion of the maximum exemption.

Contact the local Maricopa County Tax Assessor's office to apply for any of these exemptions.

Before building any new construction, renovating an existing building, or demolishing one, you must first obtain a building permit. You can obtain a Mesa building permit from the City of Mesa Development Services Department. This office is responsible for land use planning, plan review, permitting, and building inspection services. The city has a DIMES portal for applying for permits, checking on the status, and scheduling inspections. They also provide detailed instructions on how to use the system to apply for a building permit. You may also apply in person at 55 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201.

• Building Permits (both residential and commercial)
• Electrical Permits
• Mechanical Permits
• Plumbing Permits
• Pool/Spa Permits
• Fence Permits
• Zoning Permits
• Floodplain Development Permits

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 a part of the permit process, ensuring that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection by calling the office, visiting in person, or using the DIMES system.

Mesa, located in Maricopa County, is a city in Arizona. The downtown city of Mesa is renowned for its vibrant hub, featuring the Mesa Arts Center, award-winning breweries, and numerous local shops. Mesa has a population of 511,648 residents. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Mesa, Arizona, has 218,778 housing units. Of these, 89% are occupied, and 65% are owner-occupied. The city boasts a diverse range of housing options, including single-family homes, apartments, condos, townhomes, and even mobile homes.

The average price of a home in Mesa is $445,815, which is down about 1.8% from the previous year. Mesa homes sell on average in about 25 days. However, house prices vary considerably depending on the neighborhood in Mesa. Some examples include:

• Dreamland Villa $315,000
• Citrus $1.7 Million
• Fountain of the Sun $329,900
• Sunland Springs Village $500,000
• Superstition Springs $475,000
• Sunland Village East $368,500
• Summer Place Village $423,655
• Southern Manor I and II $354,990
• Oak Park Mesa $367,811
• Reed Park $389,154
• Casa de Sol $351,049

The Mesa real estate market is hot (seller's market), and homes are selling at high prices quickly. However, homes are staying on the market a bit longer than before, so it may indicate a cooling trend.