Put a simple ad on Craigslist posting your property to the public.

With some work, you can dig through public records and find real buyers.

Protecting your family with proper insurance coverage is a critical component to your overall financial health.

People like to have freedom of choice and many are concerned with protecting their privacy.

NOtes do not get extinguished and you should never pay anyone or any company upfront to provide a service until that service is completed to your full satisfaction.In fact, I believe such a service would violate new federal and state laws that were passed to protect homeowners (particularly those in short sale stages).

I was wondering if anyone has some good things to watch for/ beware of to protect my own interests in a deal such as this.

That you've posted it publicly is even worse.

This tenant/buyer is too much risk, we all go through hard times so unless this was all in the past during a troubled period in their lives and had a good history before and after or since have no bills and stable income it is too much risk.However to protect yourself you could always get a larger deposit to cover payments if they don't pay, make sure you check your local laws first.There are 25 million people in the United States who want to buy a home but don't qualify for financing so don't jump at the first opportunity unless it makes sense.

I'm a software engineer for a public company (I'd rather not say for privacy reasons).

Do I have to be a paid member of some website, go check county public records myself, or maybe pay a list service?