Botetourt County, VA Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

Botetourt County contains approximately 21,000 parcels of land. Housing affordability, agribusiness, and industrial logistics are common drivers of the local property market. The agencies responsible for keeping property records in the county include the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Commissioner of the Revenue, and the Treasurer.

An average property listing in Botetourt County goes pending in 32 to 44 days, which is close to the statewide average. Single-family homes and mobile homes make up the county's housing inventory.

Recent records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $265,200 and median rent of $957, alongside a median household income of $81,295 and a median real estate tax rate of 0.67 as a percentage of the property's assessed value.

How to Look Up Botetourt County Property Records

In Botetourt County, anyone may access property records like deeds, plats, and liens through the Circuit Court land records. You may view property assessments and ownership details through the Commissioner of the Revenue Real Estate Search. The Botetourt County Taxpayer Portal provides access to tax bills.

Who Keeps Botetourt County Property Records?

The Virginia Freedom of Information Act governs access to Botetourt County property records. The following agencies are responsible for keeping and maintaining property records in the county:

• The Botetourt County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the custodian of all land and property records. This office handles documents like deeds, deeds of trust, liens, easements, and plats.

• The Commissioner of the Revenue assesses all property that is taxable by law and applies the tax rates established by the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors.

• The Botetourt County Treasurer mails tax bills, collects property taxes, and deposits the revenue into the county's general fund to support local public services and schools.

How to Search Botetourt County Property Records Online

The major steps required to look up Botetourt County property records online are as follows:

1. To locate the exact parcel, use the owner’s name, address, or parcel number to search on the Botetourt County WebGIS Portal.
2. From the search results, select the matching parcel to open the property card. The property card will show the owner’s information, property characteristics, assessment notices, sales information, square footage, year built, legal descriptions, and photos.
3. The Circuit Court land records portal allows paid subscribers to view and print copies of recorded deeds and other land documents. This tool allows you to search by the owner’s name, recording date, or book and page number.
4. Before buying any property in the county, verify the tax status through the Botetourt County Taxpayer Portal. This allows you to view prior tax bills and confirm the property's current tax balance.
5. Request certified copies of your recorded land records by visiting the clerk’s office in Fincastle. Note that fees will be charged to obtain a certified copy of recorded documents.

Clerk of the Circuit Court: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats

The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides the public with access to property records, including deeds, liens, and deeds of trust in Botetourt County. The office also maintains the official public land records and provides searchable access to recorded documents through public terminals and online databases.

Commissioner of the Revenue: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The Commissioner of the Revenue assesses personal property taxes, administers elderly and disabled tax relief programs, and processes state estimated income tax payments. The office also administers the land use assessment program.

Treasurers: Tax Bills and Payments

The Botetourt County Treasurer’s Office is responsible for receiving all funds coming into the county government. This office bills, collects, and enforces the payment of all property taxes. Real estate taxes are due on November 1.

If property taxes go unpaid, the treasurer applies statutory late penalties and interest. The office coordinates with collection firms like Taxing Authority Consulting Services (TACS) to initiate judicial tax sales and public auctions to recover back taxes owed to the county.

Property Tax in Botetourt County: Values, Exemptions, and Appeals

You can determine property taxes in Botetourt County by dividing the property's assessed value by $100, then multiplying that figure by the local real estate tax rate. Afterward, subtract any approved exemptions or tax relief from the total.

Exemptions and relief

Appealing your assessment

You may challenge an assessment if it is incorrect. Before appealing, you must first contact the reassessment office with supporting evidence such as appraisal reports or corrections. The reassessment staff will review the appeal to determine whether changes will be made. If this doesn’t resolve the matter, you may proceed to the Board of Equalization for a hearing. If necessary, you may take the matter to Botetourt County Circuit Court for further review.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

If you want to view GIS maps in Botetourt County, you may use the WebGIS Portal to view property boundaries, land ownership cards, and zoning classifications. You may search this portal using the property owner’s name, address, or parcel number.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

In Virginia, foreclosure is divided into judicial and non-judicial processes, both of which property researchers need to understand:

Trustee Foreclosure

In Botetourt County, trustee foreclosure occurs when homeowners fall behind on their deed of trust loan. Under state law, the lender can use a third party, called a substitute trustee, to bypass the court system and claim the property. This law gives the trustee the power of sale. However, the trustee must publish a notice of sale in a local newspaper. On the day of the sale, the highest bidder will receive the property to recover the unpaid debt owed by the original property owners.

Judicial Tax Sale

Judicial tax sale is used to sell real estate with overdue delinquent taxes. The county enforces properties with unpaid taxes for over two years with a tax lien. The treasurer appoints a firm like Taxing Authority Consulting Services (TACS) to file a lawsuit in the Botetourt County Circuit Court. The court appoints a special commissioner to oversee the case, and the property is auctioned off free and clear of all prior liens. Auctions are handled publicly through groups like Dudley Resources to recover the back taxes.

Costs to Access Property Records

Individuals who want to record instruments or obtain copies of property records in Botetourt County must pay certain fees. Depending on the service requested, these fees include:

How to Record a Document

The following are the common steps to take when recording a document in Botetourt County:

1. Documents that need to be recorded must meet Virginia's formatting standards, including notary acknowledgment, proper legal description, and must be submitted with the Virginia Land Record Cover Sheet.
2. Determine basic recording fees by using the Virginia Supreme Court Deed Calculator. This system calculates all the applicable state and local recordation taxes, clerk fees, grantor taxes, and transfer fees based on the document type, number of pages, and property consideration value.
3. Submit the complete documents in person to the Botetourt County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Other submission options include through the Circuit Court land records or approved e-recording vendors. Once submitted, the clerk’s office reviews the document, collects recording fees, and assigns an instrument number. Afterward, the document is registered and becomes part of the county’s real estate records.
4. Visit the office of the clerk to request certified copies of your recorded document.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Botetourt County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals