How do I find out if a property sold without a mortgage lien?

[Erick Martinez]

I building my buyers list right now, one of the ways I am doing this is by comparing a list of properties with 100 equity to properties were no mortgage was recorded with the deed. 

I am having trouble though. So I search the name of someone on the list and I get list of document codes with a link to view their PDFs. This is were I get lost, I don't know which PDF to look at.. 

Could anyone help me narrow down to what type of document code I should look for?

[Aaron Mazzrillo]

Arizona is a trust deed state so you want to look for a deed of trust. It is much easier just to call up your title rep and ask for properties with no TD recorded at transfer or within the last X number of years. But why wouldn't you be interested in buying a property with a 15+ year old trust deed on it? If it is a 30 year fixed loan, there's lots of monthly amortization to take advantage of. I bought one last year with an 11 year old, 20 year fixed rate loan. In 9 more years it will be F&C. I paid $10K for the deed and will get back my money (via principal reductions so in equity) in less than 2 years.

I'm a bit curious why you're spending so much time just to build a very tiny free & clear list? I could see if you were cross-referencing it with another unique list. Just because a house is free & clear doesn't indicate motivation and it definitely isn't a higher probability of a deal. The formula for a 'Yes & a Check' = Motivation + Equity. You can easily find one without the other, but you need both to make any money... unless you're buying highly leveraged houses and holding them long term hoping for amortization or an appreciation miracle which brings up the whole speculation argument.