Liens and Loans

[nivek]

Awhile back I posted a question pertaining to stolen tractors and the replys where excellent but a few posters warned of liens or loans on a tractor is another thing to be watching for when prchasing one.
How or where would I find out if there is a lien on a tractor if the seller is not on the up and up. Cars have titles and the DMV but in Georgia tractors apparently do not have to be registered.
Where to look?
Thanks

 

[Bob]

Can you find out who the previous owner(s) are, and do a UCC Lien Search?

Here in ND, you can go to any courthouse, and, armed with the previous owner(s) names, do a lien search. I'm sure the system is similar where you live.
Georgia UCC

 

[MarkB_MI]

I know that in North Carolina, where boats are not titled, I was required to register a lien on my boat and outboard motor as a condition of the loan. The leins were registered with the county courthouse, and specified the boat and motor by serial number.

I don't know if a similar system exists in Georgia, but it wouldn't hurt to call the courthouse and find out. I suspect that they can only tell you of leins registered in that county, not the whole state and certainly not out of state.

 

[rrlund]

I think it's the county clerks office here in Michigan. Banks are required to file leins. I sold a combine to a jockey back in the 80s when there was so much financial trouble "down on the farm". He wouldn't buy it til he did a search to make sure it didn't have a lein. Guess he'd been burned before.

 

[Mike (WA)]

The system for registering security interests in personal property differs among states- used to be in the county courthouse in Washington, now is all done through the Secretary of State. Only way to find out is to inquire- actually, if you know of a bank that does ag loans, they will be able to tell you. Or Farm Credit Services, local machiner dealers, or FSA. Others mentioned the county courthouse, but that system has been gone from the county for so long in Washington state, I doubt anyone would even know what you're talking about.