foreclosure due diligence

[Mary Smith]

Auction,trustee, foreclosure and pre-foreclosures confuse me . After the auction is complete, how can you determine what other things,(i.e mortgages, 2nd's, liens and judgements) will be the winning parties responsibility? Where can I find information to educate myself? Every where I look, it always says "Do your due diligence and hire someone to do a title search. Which is true, but also a term to avoid responsibility for giving poor advice. Purchasing title searches are expensive for properties you have relatively low percentage chance of completing the transaction. Any help would be appreciated.