Tips for buying from homeowners with missed mortgage payments

[Matt Rogers]

I am looking at buying a house in the San Diego area and the current home owner has a year of missed payments on her mortgage. What responsibilities should I expect to fall on to me if I were to purchase the property? What techniques can I use to find out more about what she may owe and who may have rights to the property already? I just don't want to be blindsided. Any information would be appreciated.