You can usually find enough to get a good preliminary idea, and the fact that it's map based really helps.

Our Recorders also collect a Preliminary Report of Transfer (voluntary) and there is a place on that doc to indicate what kind of transfer it was and whether there were encumbrances.

When I was 18 (Now 22) I found the site Loopnet, and living in California I was shocked at the kind of deals that are available around the country.

If everything is not "above board" and this is an inside deal or he wants the house himself, I'm not sure there's anything that can help.I've invested in real estate for the past few years in NC and while I've seen my share of unfair practices, since they were all investment properties, it wasn't terribly disappointing and I was successful with enough offers to keep me busy.But unfortunately, my Mom really wants a house in this zip code (in demand) and I'm shocked at how disrespectful, dishonest, and downright rude realtors have been.

One is to have a title company do a preliminary title search (tell them you need the age of the home), or two, check yourself at the county courthouse for the information.

What I learned shocked me.

Plus PA has landlord friendly laws, from what I've seen (I know NYC and SF don't).I looked initially in the bay area (too expensive - no shock there) and then out within a few hours driving distance.  

Very helpful in my preliminary research.

There are some companies who offer initial rates in the teens but beware the shock of getting charged for almost every function the company performs.

With (30 day old, same tract) comps in the area well north of 1.1M we were pretty confident we would get the most advantageous pricing pricing and rate on our refi.My wife (a local RE Agent) and I were both shocked at how low the valuation came in at.