Why are real estate records public information?

Just like in cars. You need to have a way to know about a property as much as you can.

Nobody owns real estate.  The land belongs to the US Government.  Property owners only have "title" to the land, hence it must be public record.

My guess is it started in the days of the land grab and titles/deeds were recorded an made public record so everyone would know who owned what land.  It has evolved from there.  To protect the actual owner from being known, you can put the property in a Land Trust and it will only reflect the Trust not the person on title.

The tax assessor's office holds a record of ownership for all the properties that are assessed for property taxes in the city or county of its jurisdiction. Members of the public are entitled to search information relating to tax rates, tax exemptions, property assessment value and tax liens free of charge. 

The recording of documents in public records that relate to the ownership of real property is done to protect the rights of property owners.  Without having a deed recorded in public records anyone could challenge ownership of a particular parcel.  Without recorded proof of ownership anyone could make a claim.  That is why documents are recorded in a certain order at closings.  Deeds are recorded before mortgages because ownership must be established before you can place/create a loan & mortgage on it.  Without a system to record and establish private ownerships and rights (like easements) NO ONE would be able to defend their individual rights.

In California, recorded documents including Deeds are public information.  Our tax records are as well to allow homeowners, appraisers, and potential owners to have details in order to evaluate value; I do not know why the mortgage information is public, but only the original loan details show, not balances.

It allows the general public the ability to know who property owners are.  It also identifies property owners for future transactions.  It protects purchaser's as they are able to be assured that the property they are purchasing is actually owned by the entity selling it.  It also allows people that are owed money including the IRS the ability to place a lien on property of people that owe them money.

This is an excellent question that I get often.  As Sherlock Holmes often says, "Elementary".  Typically real estate transactions include documents that need to be recorded at the County Recorders office.  Therefore, most of the real estate documents become public record once they are recorded.  I hope this helps answer this question.  It is always fun to engage here.  Let me know what you think? Best always,  Lou Lollio 

Because the public needs to know what liens could be placed on the property for unsatisfied financial obligations. 

In several counties in Florida you can view an entire history on a piece of property from sales to liens. You can also find permits, tax information, and several other bits of information all online.  I think this allows individuals to have a since of security when deciding to sell or buy.