Buncombe County Property Records

Buncombe County property records hold deed transfers, liens, plat maps, and other land documents filed with the Register of Deeds in Asheville. The office keeps records that date back to 1791 when the county was first formed. Residents and title searchers use these records to verify ownership, trace property lines, and check for liens. You can search many records online or visit the office in person. The county tax office also maintains assessed values and parcel data for all real property in Buncombe County.

Buncombe County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds in Buncombe County records and stores all land documents. This office sits at 205 College Street, Suite 100, in Asheville. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. You can call 828-250-4300 for help before your visit.

Staff at the office can help you find deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plat maps, and other recorded documents. The office also handles vital records like birth and death certificates. Passport services are available here as well. When you visit, bring your ID and any details you have about the property you want to research. The staff can search by owner name, parcel number, or book and page reference. Buncombe County has maintained these records since the county was carved from Burke and Rutherford Counties in 1791, so the collection is deep.

The Buncombe County Register of Deeds website offers tools for searching property records from your home or office.

The online system lets you search by grantor, grantee, or document type with both guest and registered access levels.

Searching Buncombe Property Records Online

Buncombe County offers online access to property records through the Register of Deeds website. Guest users can run basic searches at no charge. Registered users get added features. The system covers deeds, liens, plat maps, and other recorded documents.

To search online, go to the portal and pick your search type. You can look up records by name, date range, or document type. The results show book and page numbers along with recording dates. You can view document images on screen. For a certified copy, you will need to contact the office or visit in person. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each page after that. These fees are set under N.C.G.S. Chapter 161, which governs Register of Deeds offices across the state.

The Land Records office at 155 Hilliard Avenue in Asheville handles GIS mapping and parcel data. Call 828-250-4970 for that office. They can provide maps that show lot lines, easements, and zoning for any parcel in Buncombe County.

Note: Online records may not include the most recent filings, as there can be a short delay between recording and posting.

Buncombe County Tax Records

The Tax Department sits at 94 Coxe Avenue in Asheville. Call 828-250-4910 for tax questions. This office assesses all real property in Buncombe County and maintains tax records that show current and past values.

Buncombe County uses the MyValueBC reappraisal program. This program lets property owners view their assessed values and compare them to recent sales. The county reappraises all property on a regular cycle as required by N.C.G.S. Chapter 105. Tax records show the assessed value, tax rate, and amount owed for each parcel. You can search tax records by owner name, address, or parcel ID. These records are useful when buying property, appealing an assessment, or checking a tax balance in Buncombe County.

Types of Buncombe County Deeds

Several deed types appear in Buncombe County property records. Each one serves a different purpose in transferring ownership or placing a claim on real estate.

A general warranty deed gives the buyer the most protection. The seller guarantees clear title going all the way back. A special warranty deed only covers the time the seller owned the land. Quitclaim deeds offer no warranty at all. They just transfer whatever interest the grantor has. These are common between family members or in divorce settlements. Deeds of trust secure a loan against the property and show up often in Buncombe County records alongside the deed itself.

• General warranty deeds for full title protection
• Special warranty deeds covering the seller's ownership period
• Quitclaim deeds with no title warranty
• Deeds of trust securing mortgage loans
• Plat maps showing lot boundaries and subdivisions

All deeds must meet the requirements of N.C.G.S. Chapter 47 to be valid for recording. This includes proper acknowledgment by a notary public. The excise tax in Buncombe County is $1 per $500 of the sale price, which matches the state rate under N.C.G.S. Chapter 105.

Historical Property Records in Buncombe

Buncombe County was formed in 1791. Records from that year forward are part of the county collection. Older documents may be handwritten on parchment. They can be harder to read but still hold legal weight.

The North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh also holds copies of early Buncombe County records. These include old grant books, court minutes, and estate files that touch on land ownership. Researchers tracing land back to the original state grants will find the archives helpful. The NC Association of Registers of Deeds can also point you to the right office for your search.

Title searches in Buncombe County often go back 30 years or more. This is the standard search period for most real estate closings in North Carolina. A full chain of title traces every transfer from the current owner back through prior owners. Gaps in the chain can cloud the title and may require a quiet title action in court to resolve.

Note: DD-214 military discharge papers can be recorded with the Buncombe County Register of Deeds at no charge.

North Carolina Property Record Laws

State law governs how property records work in Buncombe County and every other county in North Carolina. The main statutes fall under several chapters of the General Statutes.

Chapter 47 covers the requirements for instruments that can be registered. This includes deeds, deeds of trust, and other conveyances. Chapter 47B addresses the Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act. Chapter 43 deals with the Torrens system of land registration, which some parcels in North Carolina still use.

The North Carolina Secretary of State oversees business filings that may affect property ownership, such as UCC liens filed against real estate. These filings can appear in a title search for property in Buncombe County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Buncombe County. If you are unsure which county a property falls in, check the parcel address against county boundary maps before filing any documents.