Buy a Naples home
Match the property and seller, review available permit history, and collect association and flood information before unresolved details become closing-day surprises.
Plan your research →The Naples Property Guide
Look closer.
Buy informed.
Naples Property Due Diligence Center
A clearer starting point for your next property decision.
Find official records, work through the essentials, and know which questions to ask before buying, investing or bidding in Naples and Collier County.
Free to use · No account required · Your checklist stays with you
01 / Find your starting point
One property. Different questions.
Evaluate an investment
Connect entity names, ownership records and transaction documents. Identify discrepancies that deserve independent verification before relying on a proposal.
Investment due diligence →Consider a foreclosure
Confirm the actual case, sale date and entered orders. Identify title, occupancy and association questions for your advisers before deciding whether to bid.
Real estate investigations →First, confirm the jurisdiction.
First establish the property's jurisdiction. Unincorporated Collier County, the City of Naples and Marco Island have different building resources. A postal address is a starting point, not confirmation of the permitting authority.
02 / Your working checklist
Ten steps. A more informed decision.
Work through the list at your own pace. Check each step after reviewing the records, and print a copy for your next conversation with your closing team.
Checkmarks record your review only. They do not certify a property or resolve a risk.
0 of 10 research steps reviewed
Checklist progress stays in this browser when local storage is available. It is not sent to Spyglass.
03 / Go to the source
The right records.
The right place to start.
Use this directory to open the official agencies for ownership, permits, taxes, court records and more.
Search directly on each agency's site. This center does not retrieve live property records. Some portals may require verification.
Start with the parcel number.
Keep it alongside the legal description and owner name as you compare records across agencies.
Ownership & parcel
Collier Property Appraiser ↗
Match the parcel ID, owner name and legal description. Appraiser values are tax assessments, not a current appraisal or a title guarantee.
Deeds & recorded documents
Collier Clerk Official Records ↗
Locate deeds, mortgages, assignments and satisfactions. A name search alone is not a complete title search.
Court cases
Collier Clerk Records Search ↗
Follow the court-records links for case dockets. Read entered orders and confirm dates; a calendar listing is only one source.
Taxes
Collier Tax Collector ↗
Use the official tax information and search links to confirm bills and payments. Ask about balances as of your intended closing date.
County permits
Collier permit history guide ↗
Start here for county permit searches. Check status and final inspections, and request historical records when needed.
City permits
City of Naples permit information ↗
For property within Naples city limits, start with the city's permit resources rather than assuming county records are complete.
Marco Island permits
Marco Island Building Services ↗
Use the city's building and public-record resources for Marco Island properties.
Flood mapping
FEMA Map Service Center ↗
Review the effective map and property location. Ask an insurance professional about coverage and obtain elevation records where relevant.
Business identity
Florida Sunbiz ↗
Compare the exact entity name, document number and filings. Registration alone does not establish authority to sell a property.
Professional licenses
Florida DBPR license search ↗
Check the relevant contractor or professional license and status. Match the individual or business to the proposed work.
Directory prepared October 29, 2026. Links lead to independent official agencies; Spyglass is not affiliated with them. Use each source's current instructions.
04 / What documented research looks like
A useful report makes the gaps visible.
Fictional demonstration only. The example below describes no actual property, transaction or client. The contents and scope of a commissioned report are agreed separately.
| Research item | Illustrative finding | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Property identity | Listing and parcel record use different unit designations. | Reconcile with the deed and legal description. |
| Recorded mortgage | A mortgage record appears; a matching satisfaction has not been established within the example scope. | Obtain title review and current payoff information. An unmatched record is not proof of an unpaid debt. |
| Permit history | A permit entry has no final inspection shown in the retrieved excerpt. | Ask the permitting authority for the current status and missing records. |
| Association information | Current assessment information has not been supplied. | Request current association documents through the appropriate parties. |
Sources, dates and limitations belong beside the findings.
A useful research report distinguishes a confirmed record, an inference and an unresolved question. “Not found” does not mean “does not exist.”
05 / Common questions
Before you rely on a search
Is this an automatic property report?
No. This is a self-guided resource center. The checklist tracks your own review. It does not query government databases, monitor sales or determine whether a property is safe to buy.
Does this replace a title search or home inspection?
No. Investigative research can help connect records and clarify discrepancies. Use qualified title, legal, inspection, survey and insurance professionals for the parts of a transaction within their expertise.
Can I tell which liens survive a foreclosure from a checklist?
No. That requires case-specific documents and legal analysis. Give the relevant docket, recorded instruments and title information to your real estate attorney before relying on a conclusion.
Is my checklist shared with Spyglass?
No. This checklist stores only checked-item progress in your browser when supported. It contains no address or notes field. Reset clears this checklist's saved progress on this browser.
How do I request a property review?
Contact Spyglass with the property address, your deadline and a brief description of your question. Avoid sending identity documents or sensitive financial material in a first inquiry. We can discuss scope, fees and an appropriate method for any documents needed.
Naples-based · Florida Agency License A3600115
Have a property question that needs a closer look?
Tell us the address, your deadline and what does not add up. We will discuss whether investigative research is appropriate and define the scope before work begins.
Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM Eastern · info@spyglasspifl.com
This educational resource is not a title opinion, appraisal, inspection, legal advice or assurance of investment results. Public records can be incomplete or delayed. Confirm current information and obtain professional advice appropriate to your transaction.