Parcel
A defined piece of land tracked by the county for tax purposes. Every property has a parcel number, sometimes called an APN or PIN, that identifies it in county records.
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Where this comes up: getting ready
Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
The parcel number is how the county identifies your land, and it is on the tax bill, the deed and the title commitment. A home on two parcels, or a parcel that includes a neighbor's strip, is a detail to sort before listing.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Your tax bill shows two parcel numbers: the house lot and a separate strip you bought from a neighbor. Both go in the contract.
| The situation | What it means for the sale |
|---|---|
| One parcel, one house | The ordinary case |
| Two parcels sold together | Both in the contract and both on the deed, or one is left behind |
| A parcel number that does not match the deed | A title question to settle early |
The parcel is the county's name for the land. The contract has to name all of it.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That the address is the property. The parcel number is; an address can cover two parcels or half of one.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
In your Room, this word explains itself where it appears.
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