Stupid question – lien search

[udpumpkin]

I have a very basic question. I am a renter looking to move to another rental and was wondering what the easiest way to find out what the liens on a property are. Basically, I would prefer renting from someone that is not underwater.

I obviously don’t have a realtor to check the MLS for me – the original mortgage and all credit lines are reported there, right?

San Diego county doesn’t seem to put that information on-line.

Do I have to go to the county clerk’s office? If so, do I only need the address(es)? How big of a pain is it?

Of course, I could just ask the owner or property manager, but what assurances can I have that they have given me full disclosure (e.g. what if they disclose the first mortgage but not a second)?

Thanks.

[UCGal]

You need the owners names as they show on the docs. This can be done by plugging in the parcel number to the county tax site. (You can get the parcel number from redfin, zillow, etc.)

From the name you harvest from the county tax collectors site – you can go to the county administration building and look at the recorded docs. Or – you can order non-certified copies for $2-$3/doc… Depends on whether time or money is more important to you.

If the landlord has more than one property it can be tricky figuring out which trust deed goes with which deed.

But just looking at the county recorders website will show if they are a serial refinancer… If they refinanced every year during the rise of the bubble – chances are they’re underwater. Just an observation from doing this exercise on properties that end up at trustee sales.

If they purchased the property between 2004-2007 – assume they’re underwater. That’s just doing the math.

But – the landlords may be ok being underwater… continuing to pay their mortgage. You can’t really know if it’s an issue till you see a default or NOT show up on the recorders site.

[UCGal]

You need the owners names as they show on the docs. This can be done by plugging in the parcel number to the county tax site. (You can get the parcel number from redfin, zillow, etc.)

From the name you harvest from the county tax collectors site – you can go to the county administration building and look at the recorded docs. Or – you can order non-certified copies for $2-$3/doc… Depends on whether time or money is more important to you.

If the landlord has more than one property it can be tricky figuring out which trust deed goes with which deed.

But just looking at the county recorders website will show if they are a serial refinancer… If they refinanced every year during the rise of the bubble – chances are they’re underwater. Just an observation from doing this exercise on properties that end up at trustee sales.

If they purchased the property between 2004-2007 – assume they’re underwater. That’s just doing the math.

But – the landlords may be ok being underwater… continuing to pay their mortgage. You can’t really know if it’s an issue till you see a default or NOT show up on the recorders site.

[UCGal]

You need the owners names as they show on the docs. This can be done by plugging in the parcel number to the county tax site. (You can get the parcel number from redfin, zillow, etc.)

From the name you harvest from the county tax collectors site – you can go to the county administration building and look at the recorded docs. Or – you can order non-certified copies for $2-$3/doc… Depends on whether time or money is more important to you.

If the landlord has more than one property it can be tricky figuring out which trust deed goes with which deed.

But just looking at the county recorders website will show if they are a serial refinancer… If they refinanced every year during the rise of the bubble – chances are they’re underwater. Just an observation from doing this exercise on properties that end up at trustee sales.

If they purchased the property between 2004-2007 – assume they’re underwater. That’s just doing the math.

But – the landlords may be ok being underwater… continuing to pay their mortgage. You can’t really know if it’s an issue till you see a default or NOT show up on the recorders site.

[UCGal]

You need the owners names as they show on the docs. This can be done by plugging in the parcel number to the county tax site. (You can get the parcel number from redfin, zillow, etc.)

From the name you harvest from the county tax collectors site – you can go to the county administration building and look at the recorded docs. Or – you can order non-certified copies for $2-$3/doc… Depends on whether time or money is more important to you.

If the landlord has more than one property it can be tricky figuring out which trust deed goes with which deed.

But just looking at the county recorders website will show if they are a serial refinancer… If they refinanced every year during the rise of the bubble – chances are they’re underwater. Just an observation from doing this exercise on properties that end up at trustee sales.

If they purchased the property between 2004-2007 – assume they’re underwater. That’s just doing the math.

But – the landlords may be ok being underwater… continuing to pay their mortgage. You can’t really know if it’s an issue till you see a default or NOT show up on the recorders site.

[UCGal]

You need the owners names as they show on the docs. This can be done by plugging in the parcel number to the county tax site. (You can get the parcel number from redfin, zillow, etc.)

From the name you harvest from the county tax collectors site – you can go to the county administration building and look at the recorded docs. Or – you can order non-certified copies for $2-$3/doc… Depends on whether time or money is more important to you.

If the landlord has more than one property it can be tricky figuring out which trust deed goes with which deed.

But just looking at the county recorders website will show if they are a serial refinancer… If they refinanced every year during the rise of the bubble – chances are they’re underwater. Just an observation from doing this exercise on properties that end up at trustee sales.

If they purchased the property between 2004-2007 – assume they’re underwater. That’s just doing the math.

But – the landlords may be ok being underwater… continuing to pay their mortgage. You can’t really know if it’s an issue till you see a default or NOT show up on the recorders site.

[udpumpkin]

Thanks for the answer.

This came up because I looked at a place that was purchased in ’06 for $1.2mm. I asked the property manager how much debt the owner had and he said less than $500k. Just thought it would be nice to verify and check this info out beforehand.

Thanks again.

[udpumpkin]

Thanks for the answer.

This came up because I looked at a place that was purchased in ’06 for $1.2mm. I asked the property manager how much debt the owner had and he said less than $500k. Just thought it would be nice to verify and check this info out beforehand.

Thanks again.

[udpumpkin]

Thanks for the answer.

This came up because I looked at a place that was purchased in ’06 for $1.2mm. I asked the property manager how much debt the owner had and he said less than $500k. Just thought it would be nice to verify and check this info out beforehand.

Thanks again.

[udpumpkin]

Thanks for the answer.

This came up because I looked at a place that was purchased in ’06 for $1.2mm. I asked the property manager how much debt the owner had and he said less than $500k. Just thought it would be nice to verify and check this info out beforehand.

Thanks again.

[udpumpkin]

Thanks for the answer.

This came up because I looked at a place that was purchased in ’06 for $1.2mm. I asked the property manager how much debt the owner had and he said less than $500k. Just thought it would be nice to verify and check this info out beforehand.

Thanks again.

[UCGal]

If you PM me the address I’ll see what I can glean from public database diving.

FWIW – my husband and I have been looking at buying rental properties – and would be financing only a small portion of it… Goal is to have it be an income generator, not an income consumer. There are landlords that put some skin in the game.

[UCGal]

If you PM me the address I’ll see what I can glean from public database diving.

FWIW – my husband and I have been looking at buying rental properties – and would be financing only a small portion of it… Goal is to have it be an income generator, not an income consumer. There are landlords that put some skin in the game.

[UCGal]

If you PM me the address I’ll see what I can glean from public database diving.

FWIW – my husband and I have been looking at buying rental properties – and would be financing only a small portion of it… Goal is to have it be an income generator, not an income consumer. There are landlords that put some skin in the game.

[UCGal]

If you PM me the address I’ll see what I can glean from public database diving.

FWIW – my husband and I have been looking at buying rental properties – and would be financing only a small portion of it… Goal is to have it be an income generator, not an income consumer. There are landlords that put some skin in the game.

[Author]

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