Foreclosed Properties?

Question

I'm looking to purchase a foreclosed property at a sheriff's auction. The sheriff said it is my responsibility to find out if there are any liens or additional costs associated with the house. Does anybody know how you go about finding this information out? Is there a way to find this out without having to pay an attorney to do it?

Answer 1

Auctions are always buyer beware situations.  Yes it is your responsibility to find out about liens.  Liens are normally filed with the sheriff department and you can do a property search on line: zillow, trulia, county tax records.  When you purchase with an attorney they use title search companies.  you could try one of those. 

if you buy a house that is being sold for taxes, you need to make sure there isn't a mortgage owed on it because the mortgage company is always first on the deed so you won't own the house outright.

Good Luck.