what else would you ask

then how come everybody always says backaway if there are any leins on the place?

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Remember folks THANKSGIVING - it's the holiday to gobble till ya wobble!

How would I do that? I know about getting stung this place here is one major pain since moving onto it. The lady next store has a so in law that is a known drug grower/dealer and the sheriff babysits him. Really though how do you check on neighbors? If you go to the sheriff and he's their buddy or relitive......then what

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Remember folks THANKSGIVING - it's the holiday to gobble till ya wobble!

You check liens to see if there are any besides the mortgage. Guy down the road has a lien against his house for $37,000 from back child support.

How can you check on the neighbors? Do a search on the property through the county auditor's office. Check the public records (court records) using the listed name of the property owner. Do the same on the neighboring properties. If the owner listed has a different address than the property in question, it means the owner does not live there. Could be a rental, could be a second home. Most rental owners are listed as having several properties if you do an auditors search using the owners name. The auditors office will also have the current and previous property tax info and a valuation of the property. Start there (the auditor) and you will find the answers to many of your questions.

TA,

Try to go over and talk to all the neighbors. Tell them you're looking at property x for sale and want to know what they can tell you about it and the people living there. Gives you a chance to eye over the neighbors and their property too. Odds are you'll find one that doesn't know when to shut up and they'll tell you all you want to hear about the neighborhood and then some...

RF

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It's not good enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required. - Winston Churchill

Go to the Sheriff's Office and ask for a record of any calls to this address. We once were going to buy a house that a 12 y/o girl had lived in when she was abducted and killed. I was 12 at that time and my parents wisely declined to buy the house. The murder had never been solved. Who knows if the killer still lived next door? Also if there are thieves in the area, you will know to nail everything down. Not only inspect the water, but have it sent off for testing. Lead, and other contaminants are not visible. If the well head floods, you may have ground water contamination. All existing structures can later show damage, it is buyer beware. Why are the owners selling?

Lots of good advice already given! It's hard to think of everything, isn't it?

The absolute BEST time to view a property is in the pouring rain. Yep! When it's pouring down, you'll notice all kinds of things about the lay of the land that you'd never notice otherwise. (It's also a good time for a walk-through of the house.)

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Before you marry someone, ask yourself, "Will they be a good killing partner during the zombie apocalypse?"
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One thing I didn't see listed and I may get laughed at here but it IS a legit question. Is the place haunted? You can actually ask that question. The realtor doesn't have to say on the listing that its haunted, but they do have to answer the question if asked. Of course they could lie I suppose.

A mortgage is a lien.

Most properties have mortgages. Some have 2nd. mortgages also and, like Danaus29 said, liens can be placed on properties for other reasons - builders liens comes to mind.

When you buy a property, you will most likely get a mortgage. At closing, the title company (or whatever entity is used in your state) will call for payoffs on all liens against your "new" property. At that tme, whatever needs to be paid will be done so from your new mortgage and the sellers equity if necessary. Your property is the security for your new mortgage.

What you'd need to be aware of is if the liens exceed the sale price and the seler doesn't have funds to cover them. This is why you need a seasoned realtor. To explain things that people tell you that aren't true.

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Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible

Is it haunted?
It sounds funny but someone told me there are states (NY maybe?) where a realtor must disclose paranormal activity.
DH would just love to live in a place w/ a ghost, but as far as I'm concerned, take your creepy crawlers w/ you!