Retrieve deed and ownership history for a property

Steps

1. Use a property data API that includes deed and transaction history (ATTOM, Estated, or similar) and query by address or parcel number.
2. Parse the transaction history array: each record should include sale date, recorded date, sale price, buyer name(s), seller name(s), document type (warranty deed, quitclaim deed, grant deed), and document number.
3. Identify the chain of title by ordering records by recorded date; gaps or quitclaim deeds in the chain may indicate title issues worth flagging.
4. Check for transactions with zero or nominal sale price (e.g., $0, $10) which typically represent inter-family transfers, trust transfers, or refinance-related deeds rather than arm's-length sales.
5. Cross-reference the most recent buyer name against county assessor ownership records to verify consistency.
6. Return the ownership history in reverse chronological order with a flag on any non-arm's-length transactions.