What smart buyers check first
Open permits Hidden DOB work can delay closings, insurance, and financing.
Violations HPD, ECB, and DOB issues often signal deferred maintenance or future spend.
Ownership trail LLC flips, recent transfers, and mailing mismatches are worth a second look.
Tax posture Assessment jumps, exemptions, and arrears can change carrying cost fast.
The checklist
- Confirm the exact lot and owner entity, not just the marketing address.
- Review recent permits and whether work is still open or signed off.
- Check for liens, judgments, or unresolved enforcement actions.
- Compare assessed value, taxes, and recent transaction history against the ask.
- Use nearby comps to decide whether you are underwriting the story or the actual building.
Where the free report stops
The free report is enough for first-pass screening. If a deal survives that first pass, the Pro plan is where the workflow tightens: deeper lien context, broader comps, and a cleaner buyer packet you can use before attorney review.
That makes this page a practical top-of-funnel asset instead of generic SEO filler: it captures users with real intent and then pushes them into an address-specific report.
Ready to screen a property?
Start with the free report. If the address looks investable, upgrade only when you need the deeper diligence surfaces.
Best next step for serious buyers
Use the free report for the first pass, then move into Pro only when the address shows a permit, lien, tax, or ownership issue worth investigating before attorney review.