Some counties and cities have this online but smaller you might have to go to their office to get.The gas station from the 60's likely has tanks that have been leaking for a VERY long time.

You should be able to supply that to the escrow officer/agent as evidence to receive a credit on your closing statement.

When we found boxes of bullets in a house we bought, we donated them to the local police department for their target practice.

i am registered to a website that gives all the auction dates and where it is at and the attorney office etc.i dont think it tells me where how much is on the mortgage though.and why would it matter how much is on the mortgage for a foreclosure?

Try and ask around locally or any neighbors if there are any about the home's condition and ownership status.If that fails you can get the owner's information and the property's tax status from the tax office (link) or another useful tool for owner and property information is the Galveston Central Appraisal District (link).  

Definitely a good idea to start talking to a loan officer sooner rather than later.

Office building??

is it obtainable directly from the country recorders' office...and if so what would i do to get it?

Or more importantly, the inability to contact a bank directly WITHOUT using one.If interested in my 2 cents, please continue reading.Being a licensed broker since 2003, and working with "banks" for the last 10 years or so, I have sold several thousand REO properties owned by banks.The last 4-5 years being the busiest for my firm, selling over 400-500 each of the last few years.I started as an investor, made contacts with banks (2nd mortgage companies) at judicial sales auctions in Chicago, and began my ancillary career as a broker for these properties.Based on what I heard during the podcast, I would like to bring up a few points about making offers on REO's direct1- The tax records, depending on the state, county, etc can be backed up for several months depending on the technology the recorder's office uses. 

@Justin Williams, check out Sendpepper, aka Office Autopilot also.