How do I check the status of a house I am about to lease?

I am about to give a 6500.00 for first and security to lease a house from a lady who claims to be owner and the real estate agent she has hired to oversee that the proper forms and credit checks etc... are completed. How do I know that the bank hasn't repossesed the property on a foreclosure or even if the person who says she is the owner actually is? There has got to be an easy way to check this out. also if the security deposit is 4000.00 and a foreclosure happens I do not get it back correct? I really need some good advice on this as I do not know real estate laws at all and do not want to get screwed.