When free NYC public records are enough, and when they are not
For one property and one question, the city's free sites are often enough. The time goes when you need several records joined together, many properties at once, or a case followed over time.
Reviewed
| Task | Free route | Where it gets slow |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns one building | ACRIS and the tax roll | Different names in each, LLC owners |
| What is on the lot | The city's lot and zoning maps | Comparing many lots |
| Violations and permits | DOB and HPD sites | Several sites per address |
| Foreclosure status | State court system | Reading every docket, tracking changes |
| A list of properties to work | No single free source | Building and keeping it current |
Hercules joins these records on the lot, keeps them current, and lets you search and filter across the whole city.