Hawaii Property Records
![Property Records in Hawaii](/img/states/hawaii/property_records_01.jpg)
Hawaii is one of the longest island chains in the U.S. and the only state completely made up of islands. Only seven of Hawaii's 132 islands are inhabited. With its luxurious coastline and miles of beaches, Hawaii is one of the most desirable locations to live. Some of Hawaii's beaches are pink, green, red, and even black. This tropical state is ideal for hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, swimming and a nature-lovers paradise. More than 1.4 million people live in Hawaii, with 546,213 homes, meaning hundreds of thousands of property records.
Hawaii property records are generated by attorneys, courts, title companies, realtors, government agencies, and private companies. They are created primarily through real estate transactions and other events. Property records are essential for verifying title and transferring ownership. They impact the local real estate market and homeowners.
What Are Property Records in Hawaii?
Property records in Hawaii are official documents, forms, and reports that contain information about real property and its owners. Some have more details than others, and there may be an overlap between many of the different types.
Property History Search Can Include
A property history search can unveil vast amounts of interesting information about real property or its owners. You may be surprised at the details you find. Be sure to get all the records possible to see the entire story.
Some of the things that a property history search may reveal include:
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Property Address
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Detailed Legal Property Description
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Current Owner's Name and Address
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Historical Owners
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Property Inspections
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Appraisals / Property Value
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Deeds
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Liens
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Tax Records
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Mortgage Records
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Bankruptcies
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Foreclosures
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Plat Maps
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Surveys
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Easements / Conveyances
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Property Details
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Lot Size
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Zoning
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Boundary Lines
Sources of Property Records in Hawaii
Unfortunately, property records are not stored in one easy-to-find location; they are scattered among many different government offices, private companies, and the courts. Unlike most states, Hawaii has a single state-wide recording office for deeds called the Bureau of Conveyances. If you need to file a new deed, you should visit them.
Hawaii's Real Property Tax Division is responsible for property taxes. They assess property, set tax rates, bill homeowners, and collect taxes. If you fail to pay your property taxes, they will impose a tax lien on your property.
Hawaii city officials and public works departments handle building permits. They are required when constructing, altering, or demolishing any building. The city of Honolulu provides more information about how to apply for a building permit and the instructions.
How are Land Records Different from Property Records?
Hawaii views land and property records the same. They are handled and maintained by the Bureau of Conveyances. The Bureau has a subscription-based website to look up land records, but you must first set up an account to use it.
The Role of the Bureau of Conveyances
![The Role of the Bureau of Conveyances](img/states/hawaii/property_records_02.jpg)
Hawaii is one of only two states with a single state-wide recording system.
According to Hawaii, the Bureau of Conveyances "examines, records, indexes, and digitizes over 344,000 Regular System and Land Court documents and maps annually; issues Land Court Certificates of Title; certifies copies of matters of record; and researches UCC requests. Hawaii is one of two states in the nation with a single statewide recording system".
How Property Records are Maintained in Hawaii
Hawaii has its own system for maintaining property records. When a new document arrives in the office, it is stamped with the date, time, and a unique identifier to make it easy to find later. Once recorded, it becomes a public record.
Accessing Records at the Bureau of Conveyances in Hawaii
Hawaii's property records are public, and the Bureau of Conveyances is responsible for supplying them to the public upon request. They may charge you a small fee for certified copies.
Bureau of Conveyances Locations in Hawaii
Unlike other states, there is only one location for the Bureau of Conveyances in Hawaii, and it is located at:
Kalanimoku Building1151 Punchbowl St. #120
Honolulu, HI 96813
The state registrar is Leslie Kobata.
Types of Property Records
As you embark on your search for property records, you will come across many different types. Some include unique information, and others may overlap. The most common property records you will find in Hawaii include:
Deeds and Conveyance Records
Deeds are the most common type of property record, and most people have heard of them. They transfer ownership of the property and verify the title. If you ever have to prove that you owe a piece of property, you can use the deed to do so.
All parties must sign deeds, and a notary must witness them. Some of the information contained in deeds includes:
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Name of the Seller/Grantor and Buyer/Grantee.
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A detailed description of the property.
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Maps and plats along with boundaries and sometimes surveys showing the acreage and edges of the property.
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Conveyance language explaining the ownership transfer from one person or entity to another.
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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
Anyone who owns property in Hawaii must pay annual property taxes on it. These taxes pay for schools, road maintenance, emergency services like fire, police, and EMTs, and government officer salaries.
The Real Property Tax Division in Hawaii is responsible for assessments, billing homeowners, and collecting taxes. It also imposes liens if homeowners fail to pay their share. Hawaii has the lowest taxes in the country, with an average effective tax rate of 0.27%. Despite the low tax rate, the medium tax payment for most homeowners is $1,971. That is due to the high prices of homes. The median home price in Hawaii is $772,500.
The following information is present in a tax document in Hawaii:
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Assessment Details - The document will show the assessed value of the property. The exact amount is important as it calculates the owed property tax for the year.
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Tax Rates - Different areas have different tax rates based on various factors. Therefore, the document should show the yearly tax rate used to find the tax owed.
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Property Details - The document must show the property under assessment and taxation. Property details may include the owner's name to show who is liable if taxes go unpaid.
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Tax Payment History - Property tax payments are usually divided into small payments. Therefore, the document should show a list of contributions made to taxes and when they were made. The section may also show any existing balances.
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Exemptions - Some properties fall under exemptions that should appear in the tax record.
How Often is Property Tax in Hawaii Assessed?
Property tax assessment is done annually. However, the exact time differs per county or city. For example, the city of Honoluluconducts real property tax assessments around December 15th. Each county has local tax assessors who value the properties, considering factors such as market conditions, property size, and improvements. While every assessor has a different process for conducting assessments, the basic process is as follows:
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Property Inspections - County assessors conduct period inspections to gather information about their location, size, condition, and improvements.
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Valuation - The assessors then determined the value based on various factors such as income generated, property sales, characteristics, and comparable sales.
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Assessment Notice - Assessors must send an assessment notice to the owner to inform them of any changes from the previous assessment.
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Review and Appeal - Homeowners can appeal a tax-assessed value if the value exceeds 10% of the home's market value. Other instances that qualify for appeal include lack of uniformity brought by the illegality of methods used, denial of an exemption entitled to the taxpayer, and any illegality against the state laws.
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Tax Calculation - Once the appeal process completes, the assessor determines the payable taxes and presents the tax record to the property owner.
Easements and Covenants
Easements and covenants, which restrict the use of land, also appear frequently in property records. They usually accompany deeds.
Easements are rights of way allowing someone other than the owner to access the land at will for a specific purpose. An example would be a utility company with power lines on private land. The company can access the land and maintain its power lines without first asking for permission. If someone new buys the land, they must agree to this arrangement.
Covenants are restrictions on how homeowners can use the property. You will see these frequently in condo developments and gated communities. An example might be that all owners must use the same paint color for the outside of their homes.
Plats and Surveys
Plats and surveys are different types of maps. Surveys show the boundaries of a single property and its map coordinates, while plats also show the boundaries of all the neighboring properties.
The types of property surveys in Hawaii include:
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Boundary Surveys - Boundary surveys show the exact boundaries of a piece of land.
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ALTA Survey - It develops a detailed property map per the American Land Title Association (ALTA) and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) standards.
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Topography Survey - It documents the property's elevations, natural terrain features, and artificial features. Developers, government officials, engineers, and architects often order the surveys.
Historical Property Records
As land records grow, states like Hawaii often move older records into archives, making room for new ones. The University of Hawaii Manoa offers detailed information about how to access historical property records through various sources.
Building Permits and Regulations in Hawaii
City officials handle building permits in Hawaii. Each city has a process for applying for a building permit before beginning work. The County of Hawaii in the state of Hawaii offers more information on this topic.
How Can I Search for Property Records?
![How Can I Search for Property Records?](img/states/hawaii/property_records_03.jpg)
Property records are useful in many situations. Thankfully, when searching for them, you have dozens of options available. Try the methods below to see what works for you.
Online Property Record Search
Start your property history search with a generic online property record search. Type the property's address into a Google search bar and review the results. You might find just what you need or need to take things further.
In-Person Property Record Search
Since the state of Hawaii has only one office where property records are stored, you can visit the Bureau of Conveyances anytime to ask for copies of documents. You may have to pay a small fee.
Using Property Record Indexes
The internet is littered with property record indexes. Some of these are legitimate if they are hosted by a government office or university. However, some are not reputable, so you should be careful. They might not update their records regularly, and the information could be outdated or incorrect.
Utilizing Commercial Services
Your best option for finding records is to use a professional property records tool like PropertyChecker, where you can access millions of nationwide property records within minutes.
How to Search Property Records by Address
It's always best to search using the property address. Type the full address, including city, state, and zip, into a search engine and see what comes up.
How to Search Property Records by Name
You can also try typing in the owner's name to see if that brings up any records. This is not the most effective method, but you might get lucky.
Understanding Property Ownership in Hawaii
Owning a beautiful home in Hawaii is like a dream come true. However, that dream also comes with some responsibilities, like paying your mortgage, interest, insurance, and taxes on time. You must also maintain the property well to retain the value. Remember, when buying property, your name will appear in property records.
Identifying Property Owners
If you need to find a property owner in Hawaii, you can easily do so by contacting the Bureau of Conveyances and asking to see the most current deed. It will have the owner's name and address on it, plus the date they purchased the property.
Chain of Title
The chain of title refers to the public record of every owner of a piece of real property going back to the first. This chain must never be broken; someone always owned the property.
Ownership History and Transfers
Real property most often changes hands through real estate sales. However, that is not the only way. Parents often leave property to their children in the will. Some gift property to people while they are still alive. Others may sign the deed over to their house to pay off a debt.
Property Descriptions and Boundaries in Hawaii
Every property in Hawaii has its own legal description. This description includes map coordinates to make it easy to find, a detailed written description, and natural landmarks.
Surveys and Land Measurements
Surveys are a process that measures land to determine the exact boundaries. Surveyors use specialized equipment to measure the land. Surveys are used before new construction, when installing underground utilities, and in boundary disputes.
Boundary Disputes and Resolutions
Boundary disputes are common, and they go way back. It's when one property owner believes that another is encroaching upon their land. These sometimes get heated and end up in court, where a judge must decide. The courts often rely on professional surveyors to provide testimony to help make the decision.
Liens, Encumbrances, and Property Records in Hawaii
Liens are encumbrances that negatively affect a piece of real property and its owners. Too many liens can lower the property's value and ruin the owner's financial reputation. Liens appear in public property records. There are two types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.
Voluntary Liens
Voluntary liens are those over which you have control. When you decide to use your home as collateral for a loan, you allow the lender to place a lien on the property until it is paid off. If you default on the loan, the lien allows the lender to foreclose and sell the house to get their money back.
Mortgage Liens
Anyone who borrows money will have a mortgage lien on their house. These are not necessarily bad. However, the lender will foreclose and take the house if you do not pay your mortgage for three months or more.
The following sections are usually present in a standard mortgage document in Hawaii:
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Loan Terms - The document must specify the term of the loan, stating how long it will be in effect.
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Loan Repayment Schedule - The document will outline the loan repayment schedule, including the least installment amount.
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Initial and Repayable Amount - The record shows the initial borrowed and the payable amount with the interest rate.
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Parties' Details - The mortgage document must identify the parties, plus their responsibilities and rights.
Involuntary Liens
Involuntary liens are beyond your control and imposed against your will for a debt you owe. These are bad, and most often, they result in foreclosure and the loss of your home.
Mechanic's Liens
Contractors, subs, laborers, landscapers, architects, and material suppliers can use a mechanic's lien to collect a debt. If someone works on your property and you don't pay them, they can file a lien. Eventually, if they sue you in court and win, they can foreclose and sell the property. They will be paid out of the proceeds.
Tax Liens
Everyone must pay annual property taxes. If you fail to pay them, Hawaii's Real Property Tax Division can put a tax lien on your property, foreclose on your property, and sell your house at auction for well below fair market value. Tax liens are serious business.
Judgment Liens
Creditors use judgment liens to collect a debt. If you owe a company money, they can impose a lien on your property. Then, they must sue you in court to enforce it. If they win, they, too, will foreclose and sell your house to get their money.
The Process of Property Liens in Hawaii
The following is how to file a mechanic's lien in Hawaii:
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The first step is preparing the lien form. Claimants must ensure they input the correct information for validity. A typical mechanic's lien form in Hawaii needs information such as the amount of the claim, a description of the property, name (s) of the property owner, name and details of the claimant, description of labor or materials provided, names of mortgages and other encumbrances if present, and other important details.
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The claimant must attach a notice of lien to the attachment and file it in the circuit court clerk's office at the county level. Filing can be done at the office or by mail. Claimants must include the appropriate fees, not more or less. Once recorded, the claimant should receive a copy.
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Next, the claimant must serve a copy of the application and notice on the property owner, any individual with an interest in the real property, and the party contracted for the improvements. Claimants must serve them in the manner prescribed by law for service of summons.
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After 3 to 10 days from the application and notice service, the court holds a hearing to determine whether the lien can attach to the property. Any person that received the notice may offer testimony and documentary evidence to stop attachment. If the court makes a ruling in favor of the claimant, they have three months to enforce it.
Property Records and Real Estate Transactions in Hawaii
![Property Records and Real Estate Transactions in Hawaii](img/states/hawaii/property_records_04.jpg)
Property records come into play most often during real estate transactions. Before the sale, the buyer, attorney, title company, appraiser, and realtor may examine property records looking for information. During the sale, more records, such as appraisals, deeds, inspections, insurance binders, and more, will be created. Some of these records will replace older records to become the most current.
Buying Property: Due Diligence
When buying property in Hawaii, you will want to learn as much as possible about the home. Check property records to find out the values of homes in the area, taxes, and insurance, and look for building permits to see if the place was renovated. Also, check for any liens or foreclosures on the property.
Selling Property: Providing Disclosure
Anyone selling a property has a legal obligation to inform prospective buyers about any material defects. If you have any gaps in your knowledge, you can check property records.
Title Searches and Insurance
If you take out a mortgage to buy the property, your lender will require that you purchase title insurance. This policy protects both of you against anyone coming along after the sale claiming they own the property. Your attorney or title company will perform a property title search to avoid issues like this.
Foreclosure and Property Records in Hawaii
Once a home is in foreclosure, this information will appear in property records. The house will be valued lower and will be more challenging to sell. Any liens must be resolved before the sale. Most buyers won't want to deal with the hassles, but some investors might.
Pre-Foreclosures in Hawaii
Pre-foreclosure homes are in the process but haven't yet been sold at auction. These, too, appear in public records. Investors seek out these deals because they are valued well below fair market value, and the investor could pick up the property cheaply and sell it for a profit.
When was the House Built?
Sometimes, you want to know when a house was first built. You can check realty sites which might have this information. You can also contact the Hawaii Bureau of Conveyances and ask to see the oldest building permit. That will show you who built it and when.
Property Records and Property Values
Property values are very important details about real property. However, property values change very quickly due to the economy, inflation, interest rates, and the local real estate market. You can find the value on appraisals, assessments, and other property records. The fair market value is the yardstick realtors, and other property professionals use to compare the value to other homes in the area. It is the price that the house would sell for in the current market.
Assessments and Appraisals
Assessments and appraisals are both tools used to determine a property's value. Tax officials use assessments to derive a value to set tax rates. These values do not always match the fair market value.
Appraisers use specific calculations to form an opinion of a property's value. They base their figures on fair market value for mortgages and estate planning.
Factors that Determine Property Values in Hawaii
Some of the elements that contribute to high property values in Hawaii include:
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Proximity to the Ocean - Properties near the ocean boast beautiful views, coastal atmospheres, and lush landscapes, which often command higher prices.
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Climate - The pleasant climate, low humidity, and year-round warmth in some areas contribute to higher property values.
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Access to Amenities - Access to amenities such as recreational facilities, outdoor activities, and convenient transportation can cause an increase in value.
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Cultural and Historical Significance - Hawaii has a lot of culturally or historically significant areas which attract buyers seeking a unique experience. Therefore, homes in historic and cultural districts may have higher home values.
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Investment Opportunities - Hawaii is a popular tourist destination that receives thousands of visitors annually. Demand for properties for vacation homes and real estate investments is high, influencing prices in areas with strong rental market potential.
Privacy and Property Records
![Privacy and Property Records](img/states/hawaii/property_records_05.jpg)
Public property records are not private and are available to anyone at any time. When you purchase property, your name, address, and sometimes other details will appear in the records.
Accessing Public Property Records
You can access public property records through the Bureau of Conveyances in person or find them online through various methods.
Why are Property Records Public?
Property records are public for two reasons: first, to maintain the public chain of title of each property detailing every owner since the first, and second, to prevent any government entity from having too much power over the people. It's about transparency.
How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?
You cannot completely protect all your information from public records. However, you can try to minimize your exposure and remove all but the bare minimum. Contact the agencies that hold your records and ask them to remove anything beyond your name and address.
Maintaining and Amending Property Records
Be sure to regularly check your property records to ensure they are correct. If they have errors or need to be updated, it's up to you to do it. The agency that holds them will not know to update them automatically.
Correcting Errors on Property Records
People generate property records, and sometimes they make mistakes. If you find errors on your property records, you can correct them by contacting the proper agency and asking them to fix them. You may have to supply documentation proving the error.
Amending Property Records for Legal Changes
It's also essential to update property records when someone dies. To do that, bring the death certificate, will, and the person who inherited the property to the Bureau of Conveyances to create a new deed. It will need to be signed and notarized.
How to Change the Name on Property Records in Hawaii
You may also want to change your property records if you get married or divorced. This is easy to do. Bring your divorce decree or marriage certificate to the Bureau of Conveyances or tax office and ask them to update the records.
What Should I Consider When Buying a Property Using Property Records?
A property history search can help you make a better decision before buying a property in Hawaii. Review things like the value, taxes, and insurance, and look for any building permits, liens, and foreclosures. PropertyChecker is your go-to source for everything related to property records. Access millions of nationwide property records within minutes, with no limits.
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Table of Contents
- Property Records in Hawaii
- What Are Property Records in Hawaii?
- The Role of the Bureau of Conveyances
- Types of Property Records
- How Often is Property Tax in Hawaii Assessed?
- How Can I Search for Property Records?
- Understanding Property Ownership in Hawaii
- Property Descriptions and Boundaries in Hawaii
- Liens, Encumbrances, and Property Records in Hawaii
- Property Records and Real Estate Transactions in Hawaii
- Property Records and Property Values
- Privacy and Property Records
- Maintaining and Amending Property Records
- Hawaii County Property Records