General Searching Tips

• The fastest, most accurate way to search for a single property is always by the property's Property ID. If you're looking for a property and you have its Property ID, you just need to key it into the Property ID field, and then hit "Search"!
• This search looks for properties that meet all of the criteria you provide.
  • The less criteria you provide, the more potential matches you'll find. In most cases, you can narrow-down your results by providing additional criteria. Conversely, you may be able to broaden your results by reducing your search criteria.
  • It is not necessary to provide information in every field!
• Generally speaking, the more specific your search is, the faster it will go. For example:
  • Searching for "Smith, Ben" (Owner Name) is much faster than just searching for "Smith" (Owner Name).
  • Searching for "Smith" (Owner Name) on "Main" (Property Address - Street Name) is much faster than just searching for "Smith" (Owner Name) or "Main" (Property Address - Street Name).
• You can use an "*" (asterisk) wildcard character in most alpha-numeric fields. (The Property ID, Owner ID, and Agent ID fields are not alpha-numeric fields. These fields do not support wildcard characters.)

Tips for searching by Property ID

Property IDs are unique identifiers for properties. They are purely numeric, and can range from two digits to seven digits. Different taxing entities may refer to this field as a property's "Prop ID", "Ref ID", "Reference ID", "Account Number", or "Parcel ID".

• This field looks for an exact match on the Property ID field. This is always the best way to find a particular property if you know it's complete Property ID. If you do not know the property's complete Property ID, it is best to leave this field blank.
• If you know your property's Property ID, no other criteria is necessary. You'll always be able to find an exact match!
• Example: 2625294

Tips for searching by Geographic ID

Geographic IDs are unique identifiers for properties that indicate a property's location. They are alpha-numeric, and typically span either 17 or 18 characters (including dashes).

• This field looks for an exact match on the Geographic ID field, but it also supports partial Geographic IDs when a "*" (asterisk) wildcard character is added to the end of your criteria.
• Example: R-3524-00A-0030-1 or R-3524-00*

Tips for searching by Owner Name

• Property owners' names are stored in a "[Last Name] [First Name]" format.
• The Owner Name field supports wildcards. Use the "*" (asterisk) as a wildcard character if you're unsure of how to spell a homeowner's name.
• Example: Smyth, Ben or Sm*th, Ben

Tips for searching by Owner ID

Owner IDs are unique identifiers for property owners. They are purely numeric.

• This field looks for an exact match on the Owner ID. This is the best way to find a group of properties owned by a single owner if you know the owner's complete Owner ID. If you do not know the owner's complete Owner ID, it is best to leave this field blank.
• Example: 700993

Tips for Searching by Business Name

The Collin Central Appraisal District often refers to the Business Name field as the DBA field.

• The Business Name field supports wildcards. Use the "*" (asterisk) wildcard character if you're unsure of how to spell a business' name.
• Example: Sabre Industries Inc or Sab* Industries

Tips for searching by Agent Name

• The Agent Name field will help you locate properties represented by a single property tax agent.
• The Agent Name field supports wildcards. Use the "*" (asterisk) wildcard character if you're unsure of how to spell an agent's name.
• Example: Dunder Mifflin Inc or Dunder * Inc

Tips for searching by Agent ID

Agent IDs are unique identifiers for property tax agents. They are purely numeric.

• The Agent ID field looks for an exact match on the Agent ID. This is the best way to find a group of properties represented by a single property tax agent if you know the agent's complete Agent ID. If you do not know the agent's complete Agent ID, it is best to leave this field blank.
• Example: 1234567

Tips for searching by Address

Tips for searching by Street Number

• You must define a Street Name to search by Street number; else your criteria here will be ignored.
• Street numbers are typically numeric, but can occasionally be alpha-numeric. This field supports both numeric and alpha-numeric street numbers.
• Example: 250 or 10C

Tips for searching by Street Name

• Do not include the street name's suffix!
  For instance, if you were looking for properties on "Eldorado Parkway", specify "Eldorado" in the Street Name field (not "Eldorado Pkwy" or "Eldorado Parkway"). This will yield you far-greater results.
• The Street Name field supports wildcards. Use the "*" (asterisk) wildcard character if you're unsure of how to spell a street's name.
• Example: Eldorado or El*ado

Tips for searching by Subdivision Name

• The Subdivision Name field supports wildcards. Use the "*" (asterisk) wildcard character if you're unsure of how to spell a subdivision's name.
• Despite its name, the Subdivision Name field can also be used to find properties within an Abstract Name.
• Example: Deerfield or D*rfield

Tips for searching by Block or Lot

• You cannot search for properties on a Block or Lot without providing a Subdivision Name for context. If the Subdivision Name field is left blank, Block and Lot criteria here will be ignored.
• If you're looking for every property with a given Abstract or Subdivision name, it isn't necessary to define a Block or Lot.
• Example Block: C
• Example Lot: 15

Tips for searching by Taxing School District

• This field is best used in conjunction with other fields, to help narrow-down an otherwise vague search.
• In most Windows web browsers, you can hold the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard to select multiple school districts.

Tips for searching by Taxing City

• The Taxing City field is best used in conjunction with other fields, since searching for a city alone would exceed our maximum allowance for search results in most cases.
• Needs rephrasing: Only properties that have taxes collected by the defined city (or cities) will be included in the search results. Occasionally, -- usually when a property is technically in an unincorporated area -- the city in a property's mailing address does not collect for a property. In these cases, you can search specifically for "Unincorporated" properties by selecting "Unincorporated" from the Taxing City drop-down list. (Under construction)
• In most Windows web browsers, you can hold the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard to select multiple cities.