Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

As I think you know by now, prudent real estate buyers check the public records or purchase title insurance beforehand. All or part of your investment may have been sucked into a bottomless hole. Whether you or an attorney should attempt to negotiate settlement of the liens depends on your negotiation skills, if any. If you're not a professional negotiator, use an attorney. You may also want to consult an attorney to determine whether the seller concealed or misrepresented the facts about the title or marketability of the property you purchased.

I agree with Mr. Stone. In addition to considering how (and whether) to negotiate with the creditors, you should give some priority to considering whether and how to set aside your "obtaining" of the property (was it a purchase, an exchange, foreclosure or ?) on the basis of fraud, or bringing suit for damages. A seller under normal circumstances warrants marketable title, and any competently-prepared title report would show the judgment liens. Someone out there probably breached a duty and is liable to you. Also, if you acquired at a foreclosure sale, the trustee's title conveyed to you may be superior to the liens, a possibility you need to have investigated for you.

Why didn't you purchase title insurance?

In addition, judgment liens are good for ten years. bearing 10% simple interest, ad can be renewed every ten years. The seller, and possibly his broker, seem to be liable as the existence of the liens certainly goes as to the value of the property