I used these resources prior to purchasing N5210K. —John Leggatt
Articles from AOPA Pilot Magazine
Buying In: Prepurchase Inspection: Look Before You Leap
Answers for Pilots: Do Your Homework
From the FAA
Request Copies of Aircraft Records. The Aircraft Registration Branch maintains registration records on individual aircraft and serves as a repository for airworthiness documents received from FAA field offices. You can mail or fax your request for aircraft records or Request Copies of Aircraft Records online.
Aircraft Certification: Clear Title. This article describes title searches, and provides a list of title search companies & law firms.