The seller ws a crazy old guy who refused to pay off a couple judgements against him when these were discovered by the title company.

Or could be title issues, judgements against them, etc.  

There is a judgement lien on credit card debt but not property lien.

I'm a total amateur so I don't trust my judgement much, but I felt like there was a gap (at least where I'm looking). 

does judgement recording date priority has anything to do with it?

They get into title on these things and simply dont have the means to carry a mortgage if they have a tenant squat on them and since as Don mentioned they are not personally liable or it does not affect their credit the original owner takes all that liability.. they are on the Note but NOT in title.. and Especially in a state like Texas that goes for deficiency judgements Or can go for them against their borrowers selling sub too in those instances takes on a huge risk factor. 

Rules over judgement stories are the best.

Trust your judgement.

Use your best judgement on this, most people arent bothered by a 5k or 10k fee but when you start seeing 30k+ you need to be aware that both buyers and sellers could get their feathers ruffled.

Get a judgement that will follow her forever.