How To Search for Springfield Property Records

Property records are an important source of information for anyone considering buying or investing in real estate. These records provide crucial details such as ownership history, assessed values, tax data, legal filings, and zoning information, all of which are key to making informed real estate decisions. Springfield property records are public, meaning that anyone can access and copy them. However, you need to know where to look. We have provided a detailed list of resources that you can use to search for and locate different kinds of property records in Springfield below.

Greene County Recorder's Office

The Greene County Recorder's Office maintains official property records, including real estate deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, plats, and other documents that can be used to prove who owns a property and what is owed on it. The recorder's office provides access to a real estate search tool that you can use to find records online. Searches can be done by name, document type, document number, book/page, and other criteria. You can also visit the recorder's office at 940 N Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802, to access records in person.

Greene County Assessor's Office

The Greene County Assessor's Office is responsible for listing and valuing all real property in Springfield for taxation purposes. This office is a reliable source for details on a property's official classification, valuation, ownership, physical descriptions, and sales history. You can search for this information online by address, name, or parcel number using the office's property search portal. If you prefer in-person services, you can visit the assessor's office at Room 35, 940 N Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802. You may also call them at (417) 868-4101 for assistance.

Greene County Collector's Office

The Greene County Collector of Revenue is responsible for collecting and distributing property taxes in Springfield. You can use the collector's website to look up tax statements, search for tax receipts, make tax payments, and get other tax-related information. You can also call the collector's office at (417) 868-4036 or visit them at Room 107, 940 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802 for assistance.

Greene County Circuit Court

The Greene County Consolidated Circuit Courts are another good place to find property records, particularly records connected to legal disputes or actions, such as foreclosures, quiet title actions, and other judgments that may affect property ownership. You can search these records online using the Missouri Judiciary's centralized Case.net system. You can also request physical copies of these records directly from the courthouse, located at 1010 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802. Note that fees may apply.

City of Springfield Resources

The City of Springfield provides interactive maps on its website that allow users to search for property information, including zoning details, land use, lot boundaries, and other parcel data.

Springfield property taxes are a key funding source for essential local services, including public schools, parks, police and fire departments, libraries, emergency services, road maintenance, and more. The Greene County Assessor's Office determines the value of taxable property in the city, while the Greene County Collector's Office collects tax payments from property owners. A property's assessed value is calculated as a percentage of its market value: 19% for residential property, 12% for agricultural property, and 32% for commercial and other property types.

Property tax bills are typically mailed out in November and are due by December 31st. Unpaid balances begin accruing penalties and interest immediately after the deadline, and penalties will escalate the longer the taxes remain unpaid. If the taxes are delinquent for at least two years, the property will qualify for a tax sale, where it will be offered for auction unless the taxes (including accrued penalties) are paid before the sale date. The Greene County Collector of Revenue provides several options for paying property taxes, including online payments through its website, mail-in payments, in-person payments at the collector's office, and paying over the phone by calling (888) 523-0054.

Assessments

The Greene County Assessor's Office lists and values property in the City of Springfield for tax purposes. Property values are determined using a computer-assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) system to analyze recent home sales, construction costs in the area, and other factors. Once the property's market value has been estimated, it is then multiplied by a percentage to get its assessed value: 19% for residential property, 12% for agricultural property, and 32% for commercial property. For example, if a Springfield home has a market value of $250,000, its assessed value would be $47,500.

Properties in Springfield are reassessed every odd-numbered year. However, assessed values may be adjusted in even-numbered years if new construction, demolitions, or improvements are made to the property. If you believe your property has been assessed too high, you can reach out to the Greene County Assessor's Office for an informal review. If you still disagree with the assessment, you can appeal it. Details about the appeal process are outlined at the back of your assessment notice. You will typically have to call the Greene County Clerk's Office at (417) 829-6244 to schedule a hearing with the local Board of Equalization. You must also submit a Real Property Appeal Form to the office on or before the second Monday in July (of the assessment year). If you are still unsatisfied with the board's decision, you can then appeal to the Missouri State Tax Commission.

Appraisals

Appraisals provide an official estimate of a property's market value. In Springfield, this value is determined using at least one of three methods: the market data/comparison approach (comparing the home to similar recently sold properties in the area), the cost approach (how much it would cost to replace the property), and the income approach (how much money the property can earn). In cases where a property has a unique or unusual structure or is newly constructed, the county may call on an appraiser to help estimate its value. Estate planners, legal professionals, and lenders also use appraisals to determine a property's value.

Tax Rates

The median effective property tax rate in Springfield, Missouri, is 1.01%, which is slightly lower than the national median of 1.02% and the Missouri statewide median rate of 1.20%. The city's average property tax bill is $1,395, which is also lower than the national average of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Springfield's property tax rates compare to other counties in Missouri:

• Adair County 1.16%
• Boone County 1.27%
• Cole County 1.08%
• Franklin County 1.08%
• Jackson County 1.56%
• Jasper County 0.89%
• Jefferson County 1.33%
• Lincoln County 1.17%
• Pettis County 1.16%
• St. Charles County 1.08%
• St. Louis County 1.35%
• Taney County 0.97%
• Webster County 0.95%

Exemptions

Even though Springfield's property tax rates are lower than both the national and statewide averages, some homeowners may still struggle with annual payments. Fortunately, there are tax relief programs that qualifying homeowners can apply for to reduce their property tax burden. These programs include:

• Missouri Property Tax Credit Program: This refunds a portion of paid property taxes or rent to eligible senior citizens and disabled individuals (up to $1,100 for homeowners and $750 for renters).
• Senior Tax Credit: This "freezes" the taxable value of a property for homeowners who are at least 62 years old, preventing future increases in their tax bill.

You can contact the Greene County Assessor's Office for guidance on eligibility requirements and how to apply for these programs.

Most construction, remodeling, and major repair projects in Springfield require a permit to ensure compliance with building and safety codes; minor work, such as painting, carpeting, and replacing cabinets, is typically exempt. Permits in Springfield are issued by the city's Department of Building Development Services, and you can contact the department's permit desk at the Busch Municipal Building, 1st Floor, 840 Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802, to obtain one. You can also apply for permits, upload plans, pay fees, and request inspections online using the department's eCity portal.

Common types of permits available in Springfield include:

• Building Permits: These are required to construct, enlarge, alter, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building.
• Electrical Permits: These are required for electrical work.
• Gas Permits: These are required for work involving gas-fired appliances.
• Mechanical Permits: These are required for work on heating, ventilating, and cooling equipment.
• Plumbing Permits: These are required for plumbing work.

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 part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours

Famously known as the "birthplace of Route 66," Springfield's strategic location and influence as a regional hub for trade and transportation earned it the nickname "Queen City of the Ozarks". Several national and global companies, including Positronic, Bass Pro Shops, and Andy's Frozen Custard, have their headquarters in the city. Springfield is also a major destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to its proximity to the Ozark Mountains and is home to the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, one of the country's top-rated attractions.

Springfield, MO, has a population of 169,176 residents, with 85,301 housing units. 76,581 of these units are occupied and 8,450 vacant, indicating an occupancy rate of approximately 90%. The city has a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and apartments, and available housing styles include Ranch, Craftsman, Bungalow, American Foursquare, Victorian, and Modern Contemporary. The average price of a house in Springfield, Missouri, is $236,944, which represents a 0.3% increase from previous years. Keep in mind that actual home prices can differ significantly depending on the neighborhood. Here are examples of house prices across different areas in Springfield:

• Downtown $246,121
• Grant Beach $126,793
• Heart of the Westside $119,475
• Robberson $120,833
• West Central $130,467
• Woodland Heights $124,326

The Springfield, Missouri, real estate market is active and competitive. Prices have shown strong and steady appreciation over the years. Homes typically go under contract in around 14 days of listing, and nearly 22% of listed homes sell above the asking price.