He made over 100k a year and with limited lifestyle, we barely survive in SF.

Redemption only applies if those were junior liens; if they were senior liens they survive the foreclosure. 

Then it's domestic buyers who would stop purchasing, a group that despite the press is much larger than all the foreign buyers put together.So, long answer but short on conclusions; it's why US President Harry Truman wished for a one-armed economist (so they couldn't say 'on the other hand').

I make money but I never want to rely on a job for survival. 

These are great ways to build wealth if you do not need the rental income right now to survive.

Harry

Harris County is huge, then you have the immediate outskirts that can go from busy to rural very quickly.  

So after putting up all the money the property went to auction and drew no bids and the certificate holder now owns a vacant lot in the hood with municipal liens that survive the process well exceeding any value the lot could ever have.  

When the housing bubble burst, contractors in general likely found themselves in a survival mode as was the case for me personally.

Harris