Checking for liens online

[John Giamundo]

Hi guys. So I am looking in New York and it occurred to me that it is obviously helpful when contacting existing owners to already know generally what the story is worth regard to any possible liens on the property.  I figure your not going to hire a title company to do a large amount of searches when you are just starting to reach out though you would use a title company layer on if negotiations progress.  So I tried to see if I could look up liens on properties in both Nassau and suffolk on line,  trying to go through the county assessors offices to see if I could do it.  For the life of me if there is a way I can't figure it out.  Anyone know anything about this?  Or do I have to go to the county clerk every time I want some info on a perspective property?  Looking forward to your answers.  

[Mark Benincase]

Yes you can get information over the phone or online but it may not be up to date or accurate. Also depending on the state you should be aware of the different kinds of liens that can be placed on properties. some states for example allow utility liens, like in Ohio and Michigan water liens are common. The utility company may not file it at the recorders office so it may not show up in an online search.  You would have to call the utility company directly and make an inquiry. A colleague of mine purchased a home that was foreclosed on in Ohio a few years back with a $12.000 water lien on it.  He didn't hire a title company and learned the hard way about water liens.  Title searches are not that expensive, and when you consider the overall investment it is probably worth the cost.