Your agent should be able to tell you if there's a SID/LID - it's listed on the MLS (as well as HOA dues, pending litigation, etc).
Also, your agent should verify # of HOA dues, cost of these dues and the frequency in which they are due -- especially if it's a property you are considering making an offer on (or already have made one on). This will be detailed to you during your escrow stage in the HOA transfer package.
A SID/LID is a builders tool to essentially pass along the debt they were required to take on to develop streets, sewers, plumbing, public access, safety, etc when they chose to develop an area of undeveloped land. I think that's the best and easiest way to describe it.
Feel free to contact me if you ened any more information on this subject.
Adam
