Posted by Glenn on September 11, 1999 at 10:12:29:
I just bought my house this way in May. I followed the court records to see what was owed to bank. If it is too high, the bank will be buying it back, so find out who the bank is. They will often have REO after the sale. Also, know your price and stick to it. I was new to this before our house, so my wife and I went to the auction the week before our house’s. Saw a couple bid over their price on a house in the small town we moved from. In our county in Ohio, there is no showing of the property prior to sale, so they didn’t know that the house had water pipe break over winter. They ended up walking away from approx. 10K down payment. Then rebought at 2nd auction. Place had to be gutted - terrible mess. Also look for any other liens on property. Our house had extra $240 assessment for sewer bill the dead owner didn’t pay after his death (the nerve of the guy). Also possibles are tax liens if the mortgage company is not paying, etc.