Unseen Problems with Sheriff Sale Property

[David Kimball]

I am new to Sheriff Sales, so may be a dumb question but how do I protect myself from buying a property at sheriff sale that turns out to have a leaking underground oil tank, or termites, or another issue that is not visible upon drive-by. Even if I knock on the properties' door before the sale and ask for a quick tour, and the owner tells me there are no such problem, how will I know for sure?