How to screw up when buying at foreclosure auction.

[Thomas Dionne]

Im moving my purchases to buying at foreclosure auctions, so I am new at it. Its no cash cow or anything but I figure its something I should learn, and kinda enjoy it.

I know there are a million ways to mess up with these. Thats why Im paying for title research and talking to attorney and reading. But what I wish is if someone would just tell me "look, these are MOST of the things that can screw you, im not saying there are not others, but if you do this you SHOULD avoid 95% of the big monumental mistakes"

People always think I am asking for some guaranteed way to not get screwed and disclaim things to the point of uselessness. If I wanted to avoid all outcomes in which I lost money, id go work at burger king. So I was hoping someone could comment on this and/or my current assumptions on what I think are the top things (listed in order below) that could cause you to make a mistake at an auction. (This is based on going by the property to making sure it isn't burnt down or something and that im getting it at a good price. )

1. You could buy a second mortgage or a HOA lien and still have 1st mortgage out there

2. You could buy a home with HOA liens on it that are not listed as a defendant and have to pay them a fee OR fight with them because they think they are still owed money.

3. You could buy a house from someone in which the IRS has attached liens on that the previous owner didnt pay and they were not listed as a defendant.

I just want to avoid the big things that would involve me loosing 100k by not buying what I think I am buying via a 2nd mortgage or whatever.

What other big things do people look out for that are not on the list?

Thanks for any help.