Need help with title, lein, etc. research

[John D.]

I'm trying to get into bidding on public trustee sale auctions / auctions on the courthouse steps, after some success with properties on auction.com homepath homesteps hubzu and related it seems like a natural next step to explore.

I've read dozens and dozens of posts here regarding checking title, loan and lein information but I am not sure exactly what I am looking for. Can anyone reference a how-to document that is clear and thorough? Nothing I have read yet have really gone into enough detail to help.

Sounds like I can do the initial homework myself to weed out obvious issues, but should work with a title company for those that make it through that first pass to make sure I didn't miss anything -- that sounds correct?

I am looking in California, primarily Nevada and Yuba counties.

Any help is appreciated!!