Along with having numerous UFO sightings, New Mexico also hosts the largest hot-air balloon festival in the world. The Pueblos were one of New Mexico's first inhabitants, dating back to 400 BCE. New Mexico has some of the flattest land in the county, along with mountains, forests, mountain streams, and some fascinating rock formations. Seventy-five percent of New Mexico's streets are unpaved and made of clay, stone, or dirt. New Mexico has 2.113 million residents, meaning a substantial amount of property records.

Property records are essential documents that every homeowner in New Mexico should be familiar with. They impact realtors, attorneys, local government, the state, and property owners and come in quite handy in certain situations.

Keep reading to learn all about New Mexico property records, what they are, how they are used, the various types, where they are filed and stored, and how to maintain yours when life changes.

New Mexico property records are documents, forms, and reports that contain valuable information about real property and its owners. They are created by realtors, title companies, insurance professionals, government offices, attorneys, courts, assessors, appraisers, and even private companies. Some records have more detail, and others less.

Sources of Property Records in New Mexico

It would be great if all property records were stored in one place, but they are not. They are scattered among many different government offices, private companies, and state agencies. For instance, if you want to file a deed in New Mexico, you must visit the county clerk's office where the property resides. Bernalillo County has more information about that. County tax assessors set tax rates for each county, and the county tax collector collects the money. Both tax officials are governed by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department. The local town and city governments handle building permits to build new construction, add on, or demolish a building. The city of Albuquerque has a helpful web page explaining how to apply for a permit.

Each county clerk in New Mexico has a very important role. They are the guardians of property and other types of records. They accept, file, and record land and vital records. They are also responsible for fair elections and transparency. The county clerk must provide public records to anyone asking for them upon request.

How Property Records are Maintained in New Mexico

Each county clerk has their own system for filing and maintaining records. However, when they receive a new document, like a deed, they stamp it with the date, time, and a unique identifier so they can find it easily later.

Accessing Records at the County Clerk in New Mexico

Property records are public; therefore, anyone can request and review copies. You can visit the county clerk's office during regular business hours and ask for copies. They may charge you a small per-page fee. To help get you started, here are a few county websites:

County Clerk Locations in New Mexico

The New Mexico Secretary of State has compiled this handy list of all county clerks in the state to help you find the one you need easier.

When performing a property history search, you will come across many different types of property records. Some you may have heard of, some you may not. You should review as many as possible to get the complete picture. The most common property records you will find in New Mexico are:

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants often accompany deeds. They dictate specific uses of the land. Easements are rights of way providing access to the property to someone other than the owner. For example, if a wireless company installs towers on private land, they can access the towers to maintain them without asking the owner first. If the owner sells the land, any new owners must respect the arrangement.

Covenants are rules about how a property may be used. You see these in condo developments and gated communities. An example might be how common grounds can be used. No one owner would be able to have a party in a jointly owned field without permission from everyone else.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are types of maps; they differ slightly. Plats contain the boundaries of all neighboring properties, whereas surveys show only the boundaries of the target property.

A standard survey should include information such as:

Historical Property Records

When land records become too unmanageable, many states like New Mexico offload older records into an archive area, keeping only current records active. The New Mexico Commission of Public Records, State Records Center and Archives is responsible for all historical property records.

Building Permits and Regulations in New Mexico

Building permits are handled at the town/city level in New Mexico. Each city's department of development or building inspector will have a process for applying for a building permit. Building permits are required to build new, renovate, upgrade, and demolish buildings. The New Mexico government has a guide on building permits that you might find helpful.

There are many situations where property records come in handy. Thankfully, when searching for property records, you have many options available to you. Use one or more of the methods below to search for New Mexico property records.

Online Property Record Search

Your first search should be a generic online property record search. Try entering the property's full address into a search bar and see what comes up. You will probably see realty sites and estimated values, but not much more. If so, dig a little deeper.

In-Person Property Record Search

Visit one of the local county offices where the property is located and ask to see records pertaining to the property. Provide the full address when requesting. If they are busy, you may have to wait, and they may charge you a per-page fee.

Using Property Record Indexes

There are also dozens of online property indexes you could try. Just be careful; these sites are known to have inaccurate, outdated records. Verify the accuracy of anything you find here.

How to Search Property Records by Address

The best way to search is by using the property address. Type in the full property address, including city, state, and zip, into a search engine to see what comes up.

How to Search Property Records by Name

You can sometimes search with the owner's name, but this is not always effective. Give it a try, though, and verify that you have the most current owner's name.

Owning your own home is a fabulous feeling. However, homeowners must maintain the property to keep its value up and pay mortgage payments, taxes, and interest to avoid losing the home. When you sign a contract to buy a house, both your mortgage and deed will become public records.

You probably don't think about the legal property description. Every piece of real property has a legal description. It contains map coordinates for the exact location and a written description, including natural landmarks, so you can find them easily.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys are special processes that measure land and derive the exact boundaries. They are used before building new construction, installing utilities, and in boundary disputes.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

A boundary dispute occurs when one party believes another is trespassing on their land across boundaries. These can get heated and end up in court. To resolve the issue, a judge hires professional surveyors to measure the land and establish precisely where the boundaries lie.

Encumbrances like liens can be detrimental to the property and its owners. Too many liens and the property values drop. Since liens are public records, the owner's financial reputation may also suffer. There are two main types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those that you control. You willingly choose to use your home as collateral to secure a loan. The lender puts a lien on the property to protect itself, and if you default on the loan, they can foreclose and sell it to get their money back.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are those which you do not choose. They are imposed against your will because you have failed to pay a debt. These types of liens frequently lead to foreclosure and the loss of your home.

The Process of Property Liens in New Mexico

There are different procedures for putting a lien on a property depending on the type of lien. Here is a breakdown of filing for a mechanic's lien in New Mexico:

Property records really shine in real estate transactions. Many of the participants in the deal will use property records to gather information. The realtor, attorney, title company, and even buyer may use them to find things out and make an informed decision. New records are created during the process that will eventually replace older ones.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

Before buying property, you want to learn as much as possible about it. Use property records to fill in any blanks, check the value, insurance, and taxes, and look for any liens or other negative items.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When selling property in New Mexico, you must disclose to any potential buyers any material defects you are aware of, such as a leaky roof, crumbling foundation, or the use of asbestos or lead paint in the home.

Title Searches and Insurance

If you take out a mortgage to buy the home, your lender will require you to purchase title insurance. This policy protects you and them from any legal claims on the property after the sale. Your attorney or title company representative will perform a property title search, looking for any issues that could derail the sale.

Foreclosure and Property Records in New Mexico

Foreclosures are serious business and appear in public property records. They can complicate the sale of a property and lower its value. Many regular buyers won't want to deal with the hassles of buying a foreclosure home. However, investors sometimes look for them.

Pre-Foreclosures in New Mexico

Pre-foreclosure homes mean they have not yet been sold at auction. These homes are very attractive to investors who want to buy a home cheaply and sell it for a profit. They offer the owner a low price (less than fair market value) to help them get out of debt and avoid foreclosure while making some money.

When was the House Built?

It is very easy to find out when a house was built. Contact the local county clerk's office and ask to see the first building permit. That will tell you when the house was first built.

Property values are essential information regarding real property. They can change quickly due to the economy, inflation, and the local real estate market, and of course, they are always affected by the location and condition of the home. The fair market value (FMV) is the standard used by appraisers, assessors, and realtors to measure how a property compares with others.

Assessments and Appraisals

Professionals use assessments and appraisals to determine a property's value, and tax officials use assessments to determine the value and set tax rates in the local area. Assessment values do not always match the fair market value of the home. Appraisers use one of the various calculation methods to determine a property's fair market value. Most often, they compare similar "sold" homes in the area.

Property records are public, and you cannot keep them private. Deeds need to be filed and recorded with the county clerk to be legal. Anyone can access public property records anytime, in person or online.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public for two reasons. First, they prevent any one government office from having too much power over the people. Second, they maintain the public chain of title, showing every owner of a piece of real property.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

You cannot remove all your information from public property records. However, removing some of your information can minimize your exposure to identity theft and fraud. Contact all the agencies that hold your records and ask them to remove anything beyond your name and address. You do not want your email address or phone number floating around out there.

You are responsible for maintaining your property records. The agency that holds them will not be automatically notified of any changes in your life, so it's up to you to keep them current.