Unclear if the lien has expired, and if surplus funds would go to the COA According to the COA State laws i found this:Thelien is not effective 1 year after the claim of lien was recordedunless, within that time, an action to enforce the lien is commenced.The 1-year period is automatically extended for any length of timeduring which the association is prevented from filing a foreclosureaction by an automatic stay resulting from a bankruptcy petitionfiled by the parcel owner or anyother person claiming an interest in the parcel.

But the mythos around the "good deal" prevents so many first-time investors from buying at all because they're scared of looking dumb. 

1000%That said, having a CPA should never be the thing that prevents you from doing your first deal.

A subject to deal is to prevent the property to be in foreclosure not to allow the seller to foreclose to you.Use other people's money and not your own.

Japan also does not have laws preventing foreigners from purchasing property in their country. 

That cannot be prevented. 

It's also nice, because there have been times when a stain needed to be professionally laundered, or we need supplies from the store, and the cleaner does it and just charges her time. 

I've realized that my carpet is way behind the Woolite carpet stain remover stage.

Has anyone had any luck salvaging old wood floors that are stained with dog pee and smell like dogs?

Stain and polyurethane them and they will look amazing!