Huge Price Increase over one or two years

[Michael Coco]

I saw a few houses that have had huge price increases within a year or two. Some are over 100 percent. I suspect they might have been in poor shape, bought, renovated, and re-sold. Is there an easy way to tell the condition of the property a year or two ago? I suppose I could ask the sellers or check the town for building permits, but is there a way to see an old listing?