Answer

What is the best way to find out whether there are any liens against our property? Would a credit report show liens? If so, what is the cheapest way to get a credit report--we do not want to increase our debt at this time.

Liens against property, typically one's home, should be recorded on your deed and property ownership file at your local county clerk's office (at least in N.J.). Call your county clerk's office and you can arrange a convenient time to review your file. It's "public record" so there should be no hassle to do this. County offices are usually open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, except holidays. If this is inconvenient, inquire about alternative arrangements. As per checking your credit file, we have a page on our Web site (www.rcre.rutgers.edu/fcs/money2000) where you can obtain a credit file request form. If you are a N.J. resident, you can get one free credit report from each of the credit bureaus once a year. Be sure to include all of the information that is requested, including a copy of your driver's license or an ID with your name and address. Phone numbers and Internet addresses for the three credit bureaus are also included on our Web site. Depending on the lienholder, a lien may or may not show up on your credit file. Liens from an institution (e.g., bank) would probably be more likely than liens from an individual (e.g., home contractor). Remember, too, that different credit reporting agencies have different data, depending on who reports to them.