County doesn't record notice of defaults

[Dustin M.]

Hi,

I'm looking into doing some pre-foreclosure home buying. From what I've read here, most people get notices of defaults from their county building as a starting point for mailing out letters to potential sellers.

I contacted the county recorder today and they told me that they don't record notices of defaults in Sangamon County (which is in Illinois). They told me that they record "lis pendings" only. I thought a lis pending occurred before the lender goes to foreclose on the property so wouldn't it occur after the notices of defaults?

If my county recorder doesn't record notices of defaults then where can I get a list of them for free? Shouldn't NOD records be public record?

Thanks,

Dustin Michaels