California - Required Documents to Purchase Property

[Matthew Nelson]

I am looking to educate myself on the process of buying a home directly from a seller subject to the existing financing or using other "creative" financing.

I understand an attorney will be in charge of most of the paperwork, but I would be very thankful if someone could give me a preliminary summary of the paperwork required to at least "get the deal going." By this I mean the initial paperwork required that you would have seller sign.

What specific documents are required in the State of California to do subject-to deals? I know there are specific laws related to buying homes from "distressed" sellers in California, specifically those who are going through "pre-foreclosure." 

I have never purchased a home in this way, and I am simply trying to educate myself on specifics.