I wonder if the $4000 difference between the $9000 I am claiming and what the $5000 allowed by small claims could be eaten up by legal fees or a smaller judgement than my claim.  

Obviously, you'll want to check records for child support(and dates), any judgements (IRS liens will kill you if you don't know about them), any other judgements and of course property taxes.

Even a credit card company can get a judgement lien against your property in case of default.

In that case, and depending on the state, they might seek a "deficiency judgement" for the difference between what they were owed and what they got from the sale."

It all comes down to documentation and who presents better in front of the judge.If they do not get a judgement with the eviction for a certain amount then they will have to take here to small claims court.A judge there will issue a verdict and amount to be paid.The courts do not enforce a judgement.The owner or manager company would have to.They can file a FIFA to show on credit and go after wage garnishment and bank levy if they are granted it.Customs vary by state.No legal advice

Please continue the discussion, but try and keep emotions and judgements of other people out of it.thanks!

Protecting the homeowner is my biggest concern here, and I'd hate to see someone get slammed with a huge deficiency judgement and ruined financially (even more than they are) because I didn't know what I was doing, you know?

In one case we got a property for $500 and got a contract to resell at $8,750 (serious fixer upper in the Hood) the problem was the seller had $13,000 in judgements so the deal didn't go through.

Don't let emotions affect your judgement.

Make sure you understand what exactly the scope of the search is, if they check for just liens & judgement or do they also check the tax status, federal tax lien search etc..