Doesn't your $56K problem turn into a $44K surplus if you find a house that costs $450K?

Check out your local surplus warehouses.

In many states the amount bid over and above the amount of the taxes is called an "overage" or "Surplus" and is due to the previous owner.

Is there a surplus of properties or a shortage? 

Are you saying you want to sell some surplus Tax Liens that you purchased?

Stain is ~$40/bottle and sealer is $200/5 gal.Tile counter tops are really cheap to install.If you do exterior repair on soffit or fascia, always go back with hardie, less maintenance over time.Places like surplus warehouse will give you a 3% landlord discount on doors and windows (and they're already dirt cheap).Capex is important to keep track of but with so many alternative options to pay for the expense, I don't stress too much over it either.  

But that's really all of my existing surplus of cash, and I don't think it's a good idea to part with everything.So, any advice would be appreciated.

Yes, I do.In fact, I've been on both sides, having intentionally allowed a property with soil defects go to tax sale in order to collect the surplus overbid funds (made $125,000 net profit on that play).Tax Title Service is in the risk business.

The owner and the BK court would be entitled to any surplus over the tax amount.

Hello,I'm having to pay extra and go through a surplus line for property coverage right now because I had a claim in June 2015 due to a fire and now the building is still vacant (renovations I hope will begin in a couple months, pending appraisal results).