The information super highway by pass

Living in Ramsey county is like living on the off ramp of the information super highway at least as it pertains to the availability of public information about foreclosures.  There are other information voids but I am going to resist the temptation to make this a full fledged rant. 

Hennepin counties web site has lists of foreclosures and sheriff sales.

Dakota counties web site is the best when it comes to property tax records that are complete with maps and they show foreclosures on an interactive map.  I think if Ramsey county ever decides to build a web site that offers information they should imitate Dakota counties web site.The site is full of information and easy to navigate. I hate to use the word fun but I have been knows to linger on the site and play. (Am I bad?)

Washington counties web site is kind of lame but they do offer a spreadsheet with foreclosure data on it. 

There are all sorts of sources of foreclosure data. The way it works is that someone pays for these public records and then puts them on a web site.  I guess the lack of public data on some country web sites is a business opportunity for some as they become the source of public information and a source of revenue for the county. When it comes to property taxes I find Ramsey counties system mysterious . . as opposed to transparent.