Asking "Is there anything left that is owed on the property?"

[Aaron Phillips]

I have been talking to homeowners who are selling rehabs, properties in distress, or properties they just want to get rid of at least 3-4 a day now. I ask the same question to each and every potential seller I encounter "Is there anything left that is owed on the property?" I feel as if it a fair, yet important question to ask given that my contract states the said Seller is responsible for Taxes, Mortgages, and Liens on the property. 

My most recent interaction with a seller of a 5 bedroom 3 bathroom home I asked if anything was owed on it still and the seller immediately jumped to the defense saying "That's none of your business." "That isn't important." so on so forth. 

My question to BP is, Should I stop asking that question? Is it getting too personal asking how much is owed? I know one encounter vs many others shouldn't make me change up the questions I ask to get more information, but I am trying to perfect the way I wholesale and it's worrisome that I will continue to encounter this same problem. 

[Nick C.]

Actually it is your business. If you're going to buy a house you will need to know what is owed on it. Maybe a way around it is to agree on a price first before you ask that question. Once you agree on a price, sellers are usually more amicable. If you can't agree on a price, it doesn't make a difference how much they owe.