I love to discuss market cycles, the greater economy, emerging markets, how to diversify, travel, investing in Hawaii, etc. etc.

From there I eventually switched to just searching the county records for legal issues.  

Foreclosures are public record and used by everyone in town trying to nail the deal if the property has equity. 

We just use the assessor office for tax records.

They often don't even record their deed until the property is sold. 

Connect with me here on BiggerPockets and I'll gladly make a warm introduction.For the record, I receive ZERO compensation for making this referral!

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-housing-ordinance-arrest-record-20190425-story.htmlhttps://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/apartment-landlords-gripe-over-cook-county-housing-discrimination-proposalSo this was rammed on through the county board today here in Cook County Illinois (Chicago).

Making sense of the deal, their business philosophy, and their track record will be important to understand, but I believe you should develop a foundation of trust before you invest. 

A lien is a payment obligation that has been attached to real property -- either through the recording process (in the case of a mortgage, deed of trust, mechanics lien, etc.) or pursuant to local law such as by the entry of a judgment, issuance of a water/sewer or tax bill, etc.A foreclosure is what the lien holder does to enforce the lien in order to obtain payment -- this is done through a forced sale of the property.

He needs it for his records, and occasionally, maybe every 3 years or so the insurance person wants it.