Can liens against a house be found out before closing?

[Andrea Tapp]

Is there any public way to find out if there are any liens against a house you are going to make an offer ? One owner told me there may be some liens from the city for yard maintenance? but he wasn't sure.  how can i find this out.  he also said that he is getting water bills.  just makes me wonder what other bones are in the closet?  can i dig and find out before i make any offers?

[Kyle J.]

Try your County Recorder's Office.  I was just down at my County Recorder's Office this week researching liens and code violations on properties for an upcoming auction.  It may vary from state to state (or even county to county), but in most areas you can look up anything that has been filed against the property (i.e. liens, judgments, code violations - if they've been recorded, etc).