There is no answer, there are simply alternatives. 

If this is an estimated tax payment for your tax return you file in 2025, they certainly aren’t going to place a lien for simply not making that payment on time.  

Collections are simply high there.South Shore is "C" housing. 

I would think that if the mortgage was recorded properly, it will simply be paid off.This is a question that you probably should have asked of the title company / lawyer before going under contract. 

I am currently a 19 year old looking to simply gain as much financial education, simultaneously saving money for future investments. 

Its simply not feasible to run title on everything that you want to bid on if your out west.the reason is you can look at 50 props you like and only 1 maybe 2 will actually go to sale and you have competition on those.. now i am talking TRUE foreclosure sales not Auction after the fact.

Or is it simply cosmetic or preventative or an upgrade?

If you had the money to close, there would be no worry of that, you would simply close on it yourself then.

Or do I just wait for it to go to foreclosure before attempting to buy it?

("A real estate broker, for the purposes of this article, is defined to be a person, firm or corporation who, for a fee, commission or other valuable consideration, or by reason of a promise or reasonable expectation thereof, lists for sale, sells, exchanges, buys or rents, or offers or attempts to negotiate a sale, exchange, purchase or rental of real estate or an interest therein, or collects or offers or attempts to collect rent for the use of real estate or solicits for prospective purchasers or assists or directs in the procuring of prospects or the negotiation or closing of any transaction which does or is contemplated to result in the sale, exchange, leasing, renting or auctions of any real estate . . ."