You can get tax default information publicly, and notice of default/notice of sale (foreclosure) information, judgements/liens publicly, but not anything else. there is no "Find out who's short on payments" list available anywhere.

Zillow is nothing more than an automated valuation tool that doesn't rely on any human judgement.

The bid starts at $100 but it says theres a judgement for 200k.

If they're working "off the books", a judgement would be worthless.

They could get their wages garnished for unpaid bills if they get judgements.

I would just make sure whatever percentage of the property that you assign to land vs. structure is defensible - how aggressive you want to be is a bit of a judgement call.

Harder to rent a new place, judgement for money, wages garnished.....

Kristine Marie Poe   agree K  with that point  if your seller is in CA and there is no deficiency judgement and their credit has been trashed by the BK already.so I correct my statement that its dangerous for a seller that still has good credit to do these deals.

I know in Louisiana there is a redemption period and you have to get a judgement to "quiet" the title or something along those lines. 

with lots of luck and good judgement maybe, but probably not.