You can get a lot of info from public data bases.

The easiest way is to first look up the owners by checking the property tax database.

https://www.sdctreastax.com/ebpp3/(fbvk2bn0j131r0450qy1ts45)/Start.Aspx

If it says “not found” when you enter the address- then the bill is mailed to some other address… so you need to put the APN (w/out dashes) in the bill number section. That will produce the owner’s name (or trust name.)

Take that name and plug it into the grantee/grantor search on the county recorders website…

http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/services/grantorgrantee/search.aspx

That will give you a list of things recorded against the owner.

If the owner doesn’t have a bunch of properties it’s pretty easy to figure things out… If they own multiple properties it can get pretty confusing… Especially if they were chronic re-fi-ers. If it’s too hard to figure out you need to get the actual docs – either at a county office or by ordering online. If they only own one property you’ll see the deed, trust deed(s) (loans), any tax liens, absentee judgements, NODs, NOTs, etc…

You can get a lot of info from public data bases.

The easiest way is to first look up the owners by checking the property tax database.

https://www.sdctreastax.com/ebpp3/(fbvk2bn0j131r0450qy1ts45)/Start.Aspx

If it says “not found” when you enter the address- then the bill is mailed to some other address… so you need to put the APN (w/out dashes) in the bill number section. That will produce the owner’s name (or trust name.)

Take that name and plug it into the grantee/grantor search on the county recorders website…

http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/services/grantorgrantee/search.aspx

That will give you a list of things recorded against the owner.

If the owner doesn’t have a bunch of properties it’s pretty easy to figure things out… If they own multiple properties it can get pretty confusing… Especially if they were chronic re-fi-ers. If it’s too hard to figure out you need to get the actual docs – either at a county office or by ordering online. If they only own one property you’ll see the deed, trust deed(s) (loans), any tax liens, absentee judgements, NODs, NOTs, etc…

You can get a lot of info from public data bases.

The easiest way is to first look up the owners by checking the property tax database.

https://www.sdctreastax.com/ebpp3/(fbvk2bn0j131r0450qy1ts45)/Start.Aspx

If it says “not found” when you enter the address- then the bill is mailed to some other address… so you need to put the APN (w/out dashes) in the bill number section. That will produce the owner’s name (or trust name.)

Take that name and plug it into the grantee/grantor search on the county recorders website…

http://arcc.co.san-diego.ca.us/services/grantorgrantee/search.aspx

That will give you a list of things recorded against the owner.

If the owner doesn’t have a bunch of properties it’s pretty easy to figure things out… If they own multiple properties it can get pretty confusing… Especially if they were chronic re-fi-ers. If it’s too hard to figure out you need to get the actual docs – either at a county office or by ordering online. If they only own one property you’ll see the deed, trust deed(s) (loans), any tax liens, absentee judgements, NODs, NOTs, etc…

“That will give you a list of things recorded against the owner.”

UCGal..
The link shows the existence of a lien. However, how do get the dollar amount of a lien?

“That will give you a list of things recorded against the owner.”

UCGal..
The link shows the existence of a lien. However, how do get the dollar amount of a lien?

You can order the document.
Or, if you have connections (I don’t) you can get someone who works a title company look it up for you.

What kind of lien is it?
Trust deeds are mortgages. But there are lots of other liens…
Mechanics liens are typically from contractors or sub contractors who did work and weren’t paid (or pay is in dispute.)
Absentee judgements are civil awards that have not been settled or discharged.
Tax liens come in a few forms – state (will show as NT STATE TAX LIEN), county (shows as something like CTF TAX LIEN)… feds…

I’ve also seen things that just say “notice”… You’d have to order the doc (or go to the county recorders office) to look at that.

I’m pretty sure (but not absolutely certain) that you can look up the docs at terminals at the county office downtown… At the office where you get copies of birth/marriage/death records… You pay if you want copies – but you can look at whats in them… I’m pretty sure…

You can order the document.
Or, if you have connections (I don’t) you can get someone who works a title company look it up for you.

What kind of lien is it?
Trust deeds are mortgages. But there are lots of other liens…
Mechanics liens are typically from contractors or sub contractors who did work and weren’t paid (or pay is in dispute.)
Absentee judgements are civil awards that have not been settled or discharged.
Tax liens come in a few forms – state (will show as NT STATE TAX LIEN), county (shows as something like CTF TAX LIEN)… feds…

I’ve also seen things that just say “notice”… You’d have to order the doc (or go to the county recorders office) to look at that.

I’m pretty sure (but not absolutely certain) that you can look up the docs at terminals at the county office downtown… At the office where you get copies of birth/marriage/death records… You pay if you want copies – but you can look at whats in them… I’m pretty sure…