How to find out what seller owes on their mortgage?

[Gary Hazard]

Ok I finally took action yesterday and the first house I contacted they were motivated. Ok, shes a out of town owner who hasnt been to the property in bout 4 5 years. She doesnt know anything about what she owes on her mortgage or taxes. How can I find out what she owes on her mortgage. The mortgage company I think she said it went under. Please Im too excited for this deal to fall through. She just wants me to take it.

[Jon Holdman]

Search public records. This is something you MUST know how to do. It can be a pain to learn, since every county's system is different and none are exactly straightforward. But you MUST know how to deal with these systems.

I'd bet she doesn't even own the house. Think about it. Some stranger calls her up out of the blue and she tells them to break into the house. Seriously?