Finding owners of properties

[James Thiel]

Hi Everyone,

I did some "walking" for dollars in my neighborhood and came across six properties that are vacant.  I also drove around and found a dozen properties that looked pretty run down.  My problem is that I can't find a resource to now track down the official owners and their mailing address.

LA County does not provide name/address information on their website and San Diego County told me that I have to come into the office.

How is everyone doing this?  I've heard people say "Have a title company do it for you", but why would a title rep do this for me if I am not an agent?

I found a blog on BP from a while back by Chris Feltus, Driving for Dollars Bible, that gives good info., but in his examples the local appraisal district gave name/mailing address info on their website, which isn't the case in LA and SD counties.  So, now what?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!