Now, for the part I am NOT as sure about:My question is, can I maximize my profit by buying subject to the liens and negotiating them down or potentially having them wiped out? 

If you fear I infringed on the intellectual property rights of others, I assure you, the model home attendant welcomed me to get any design ideas I wanted and to take pictures; and was quite aware that I was not there to buy---they convert lookers to buyers on a regular basis.  

I would have a title company do a title search at his cost to assure me that there are not any other liens on the building.

I'm not normally this dry and robotic, I can assure you :P  I look forward to hearing from everyone soon!

I personally know him and can assure you he is not a Guru in the sense you are thinking. 

In the pictures you can tell its in great shape, the kitchen looks recently upgraded and it appears there is probably about $20k in rehab needed minimum however ill wait for a contractor to assure that.

If you want just a title search, it will only run you a couple hundred bucks, but I feel it goes along way toward buyer assurance. 

This deal was very hairy as after we ran an O&E Report, we found out there was a  $37,001.72 IRS Lien, and 5 State Tax Liens totalling $9,750.02.Our Foreclosure attorney assured us the liens would be removed after foreclosure, so we deducted the property taxes from the purchase price and it was ours. 

I have been in constant contact with the realtor/short sale specialist and they assure me on is going well.  

Guessing you're desirous to turn your Pittsburg dirt into profits, I think you're on the right track though will suggest strongly that you yourself or someone very knowledgable that you can trust and manage babysits the process down to keys in hand, as I assure you, dealing with contractors and all entities along the developer's path takes an entirely whole new layer of skin and nerve.