Is Any Mortgages Owner Quit Claim Deed To You Before Tax Sale?
I got the owner willing to sign the quit claim deed to me, I have done research, it has no lien, and it is buildable lot, and I am able to get the owner sign a quit claim deed to me if I can pay up the back tax,, this lot is located in San Diego, CA . My bigger concern is any mortgages still in the property (the owner said he don't know), Does anyone know how to search for mortgage s, please help? Any help in relate to subject is greatly appriciated? 
[/LIST]
[addsig]
First, welcome to the family of TCI!
Now let's get to business, I am confused on this one, you state that the property has no liens but you need to see if there are any mortgages.
How do you know their are no liens?
Did you do a title search?
Alert: The owner does not know if there are any mortgages! THIS IS CALLED A RED FLAG
[addsig]
Thanks for your reply! you guy are great ! I am so happy to be a member of this site!
I did not do a title search, but I went to the assessor office do a lien search, beside the tax lien there are no other lien, the owner just got this lot from his relative which has pass away, he does not want the responsibility, and he stated that he doesn't know much about this lot. Do I need to do a title search to find out any mortgage on the property? Thanks in advance!
Jenny Chau
Now I Understand.
You to need to do a title search on this property!
You also need to check with the city and county to see if their may be any issues with this property.
Also make sure you will have access as well.
[addsig]
Thanks a bunch JohnMicheal! I am truly appriciated you help,
Yes I will do a title search, and make sure it has access.
Thanks again
Jenny Chau :-D
Jennychau:
You wrote: "I went to the assessor office do a lien search"
I will be at an auction soon and want to do a lien search on a few properties.
What is the process to do a lien search at the assessor's office?
Not trying to overtake a thread with my own question, but if there were a mortgage on it, wouldn't that be found out when they went to the assessor's office to inquire about liens. If they recorded the mortgage wouldn't that be a lien on the property? I know if there is an unrecorded mortgage that wouldn't show, but everything that is recorded would show as a lien wouldn't it??
I visited the County Recorder's web site and this is what I found:
"This office does not provide online access to our real estate records or indexes via the internet.
Real estate records, for Los Angeles County are available. If you require a copy of a document recorded with the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Office, please send a written request with the following information: Title of the document, names listed on the document and include a check made payable to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The fee for a certified copy of a document is $6 for the first page and $3 for each additional page per document."
This charge would add up if I go this route (I need to check on a few properties). I will search for Title Companies to find out how much they charge to provide information.
Any suggestions as to which one to contact in LA County?