How to Pull Tax & Title Info Before You Bid on a Foreclosure

One of the most important things you can do before bidding is this: check for liens, taxes, and title issues.

Here’s how to check what’s owed and who might still have legal claims — and how to avoid getting burned at auction.

🧾 Step 1: Understand What You’re Looking For

• Unpaid property taxes
• Other mortgages or HELOCs (if not first position)
• IRS liens or judgments
• Utility, water, or municipal liens
• Demolition orders, code violations, or open permits

Any of these can survive the sale and become your problem.

🏛️ Step 2: Check County Tax Records

Visit the County Treasurer or Assessor's Office website for the county where the property is located (e.g., Cook County Treasurer for Chicago).

1. Use the property's PIN (Property Index Number) or full street address.
2. Look up current and past tax bills, including payment history, late fees, and interest.
3. Check for any upcoming or completed tax sales.

📜 Step 3: Search Public Title Records

Go to the County Recorder or Clerk’s Office online portal. Some counties offer free public searches; others charge small fees or require in-person access.

1. Search by PIN, owner name, or property address.
2. Download copies of recorded documents such as mortgages, liens, deeds, and lis pendens.
3. Look for anything recorded after the date of the original mortgage being foreclosed.

⚖️ Step 4: Check the Foreclosure Case

Use the County Circuit Clerk’s public court access to look up the case number (we provide this in our listings).

1. Find the full complaint and judgment documents.
2. Check if other lien holders or unknown owners were named in the case — if not, their claims may survive.
3. Confirm the plaintiff is a first-position mortgage lender or tax buyer (not a junior lender).

🔍 Step 5: Ask Smarter Questions

• Is this the first mortgage or a second being foreclosed?
• Are any IRS liens recorded that could take priority?
• Does the city have any outstanding code enforcement liens?
• Have any heirs or unknown parties appeared in the case?

If you're not 100% sure — don't guess. Ask us.

🛠️ Tools to Help

• Foreclosure Cost Estimator
• Title & Lien Risk Guide
• Ask Our Team for a Check

✅ Final Tip

The fastest way to lose money in foreclosure investing is skipping due diligence on taxes and title.

We review all of this for you on properties we represent — or we can do it as a service before any auction.

📩 Contact Us for a full lien & tax review before you bid.