I use http://www.myrental.com and they do multistate searches  Depending on the state you can also search the court records there yourself online.  

This could reasonably be argued in court, but seek your own legal cousel before interpreting what I just said.Another useful question on my application reads "Have you ever been evicted?".  

So just in case they don't pay I can move forward with starting the court paperwork to start the eviction process.

I ended up taking them to court for money owed and recouped it there but still.

(It can also be sold during probate with permission of the court but courts want to see close to fair market value so getting a great deal is tough). 

The courts are weird and the government offices acts very "differently" than the rest of California.

It looks like it may also cover up to a certain amount in legal costs however some property managers will cover legal costs anyway if they go to court themselves.

I need to make sure I’m doing everything in the most proper way that would hold up in court and not cause me any more headache than necessary.

I had my taxes reduced 40 percent and I have decent cash flow,but i am 100 percent hands on, do all my own repairs, and stay away from old houses.PA is not landlord friendly so if you plan on being successful I suggest you be ready to break a few rules. example, if they don't pay the rent and start their silly court games...somehow the electric meter goes missing.

I did a court and city search to find outstanding liens and violations.