HI Michael,  it might depend on how long ago that criminal record is from.  

Our credit score dropped much more than expected due to inquiries, and apparently those stay on your record for 2 years, even if you don't use them to buy anything. 

@Chandler the county records typically have homes in default.

This is one of the reasons why it's hard to leave a job before having a steady business track record. 

Not paying any recording fees.

I would say if this is your first deal and family friends waive the acquisition fee so you can build a track record. 

You have a couple of options here: go yourself to the county court house and look up the property at the recorder of deeds or the prothonotary's office, you may also pay a title/abstract company to look up the property (this would be a local company, and there should be several available to you in your area).

If there is an open balance and someone other than Citigroup owns this loan, there should be an assignment recorded identifying the current beneficiary. 

Run the tax records and see who the owner is now.

@Vincent PlantTitle is recorded in the county records.