I am frequently asked by prospective home buyers the same question. Initially, I wondered why prospective buyers asked such a question. 

The property sale records are generally kept by the government valuation department and the public can obtain the relevant information when they pay a fee to make a search. The sales records are available to the general public and are not a secret at all.

It is good to have such records, if it is available. However, I feel that it is not necessary to know what the original price of a property was. This is because the selling price of the house is guided by the actual comparison with similar homes in the same neighborhood. Compare houses that are currently in the market as well as houses that have sold recently. Your real estate agents who work for you should have the records and the classified ads may be able to give you an idea on how much the house is worth.

Property prices fluctuate depending on the supply and demand of the properties in the neighborhood. Prices of houses in the last 15 years, 10 years and the past 3 years may vary from 50 to 100 percent, depending on location and the vicinity. Therefore, how much the vendor paid for his house is not important. In fact, whether the house is in tip-top condition and suitable for you and your family or not is more important.