If you have a proven track record you should be able to get cheaper money.  

County Records Service, San Diego CountyForeclosureS.com, everywhere

All deeds have to be publically recorded at your county's courthouse.

The redemption period in our State of MI is 6 months, however, if the house is abandoned, the redemption period shortens to 4 weeks, as long as you properly document that the home is abandoned and record this at the Register of Deeds office.There was a second mortgage on the property for 35K.

There is always some type of public record that will be filed there of upcoming foreclosures.

All deeds and liens have to be filed in public records at the county courthouse where the property is located.

Laws differ from state to state, so I would check with your State's Authority on Mortgage Lending.Assuming that you would be recording a new security instrument, it sounds like you would be REFINANCING those non-performing notes.

I would check the county records and try to find the owner of the property.

Well you can find out if it has a first lien on it by searching for the prior owners name in the public records at the county clerk's office.

check public records - lis pendens