See below bullet 3. https://www.irs.gov/irm/part55.12.5.2.7 (06-07-2016)Amount Necessary to Redeem Property In any case in which the United States redeems real property under 28 USC 2410 or IRC 7425, the amount to be paid for the redemption is the sum of allthe following: The actual amount paid by the purchaser at such saleInterest on the amount paid by the purchaser calculated at 6 percent per annum from the date of such sale until the anticipated redemption dateIf applicable, the amount of a payment made by the purchaser (or successor in interest) after the foreclosure sale to a holder of a lien senior to that foreclosedIf applicable, the amount equal to the expenses necessarily incurred in connection with such property after the sale but before redemption MINUS the income from such property and MINUS a reasonable rental value of such property (to the extent such property was used or allowed to be used by the purchaser)

Your "best case" in this scenario would be that that party would mentor you in how to accomplish these activities so that you can learn and earn at the same time.

Can I proceed with a small claims case in Fulton County, Georgia (the apartment location)?

Case in point, we purchased a $150K note over 12 months ago which was headed for foreclosure within 3 months. 

Now I know that not all investors are flipping, he or she might be buying and holding, so it wouldn't work in that case. in that cast, there is also such a thing as goodwill, meaning you provide the investor the deal without earning a commission on it, but you have most likely created a positive impression on that investor and when he or she does want to sell they would think of you first.

It was scary times, as I'm sure is the case in Redding right now.

Is that not the case in commercial?

PT's are penalized, but nearly as heavily as is the case in an IRA.

I have found this to be the case in other states where my clients and I have invested in real estate.  

However, I would not be surprised for one minute if this were the case in Kalifornia.Here is an excerpt from my lease:24.