What liabilities get transferred at a Sheriff Sale?

[Curtis Eckhardt]

So Sheriff Sales... I'm getting more familiar with them but there are still some outstanding questions that I need answered before making any moves. I get that the upset price is the amount the price set by the plaintiff and court fees. If you pay that, you usually end up getting the place. The county office suggests that you do a title search. Aren't 2nd or 3rd position liens accounted for in the upset price? Is it possible to pay the upset price to suddenly find that there is a huge lien that now you are responsible for? I've read in various internet posts suggesting that a sheriff sale gives the property a "clean slate". Of course some liabilities are transferred such as judgement liens or HoA fees or water / sewage fees. The utility fees are usually minor. I'm concerned with a major liability.