Thank you all for your answers.
I have a couple more questions before buying a subordinate liens. That would be greatly appreciated if you could help me find answers to these questions:
1- So, when I buy a second mortgage, the first mortgage and taxes stay and they are not paid through the surplus. I have no access to the surplus in any way. The surplus does not pay the first mortgage or taxes. How about the HOA liens? Does it not even pay the HOA liens?
2- Let's say, I buy a second mortgage and lis pendens has already been issued for the first mortgage and an auction date has already been set for it. Can I still pay off the first mortgage? Or is it too late? How long does it usually take to complete all procedures with the first mortgage holder after buying the second mortgage to pay off the first mortgage?
3- Do I need any kind of signed letters or anything else from the previous homeowner to be able to pay off the first mortgage? Are the balance and all other details about the mortgage not considered confidential between the previous homeowner and the bank?
4- Is there any way to learn the exact balance of the first mortgage before buying the second mortgage if a final judgment has not been issued for the first mortgage?
5- Is there anything else I need to be careful about or take into account when buying a subordinate lien?