Second mortgage... who is responsible?

[John H. Hill Jr.]

Hello BP family!

Okay so Google, nor the internet thus far has been my friend. Can someone please explain to me who is responsible for paying the second mortgage if I purchased a home that has a second mortgage on it against the previous owner? I believe I understand it as if the home is sold in a traditional manner or as an REO, the second mortgage is not my concern. However, what happens when it's a trustee sale/auction (first mortgage) when there are insufficient funds to pay the second? What happens if it's a short sale, or even a pre-foreclosure. Nothing I'm reading online talks about the buyer. Only the previous owner how has taken out a second on their home.

Thank you in advance!