So, are there states where I can purchase a tax lien certificate and if the owner does not reimburse me for the certificate then I could take possession of the property with taking it to auction and having others outbid me?  

They will either do a terrible job painting, will want you to reimburse them for the paint, or without a doubt will not return the walls to their original color before moving out.We had a tenant in one of our rentals here in CT  (B class area normal tenant) recently ask to paint a mural on one of the living room walls and that he would paint it back to the original color when moving out.

EM if the buyer backs out, and reimbursement of expenses if the seller backs out?

Did they make some improvements as part of one of the contingencies, reimbursement for opportunity lost since it was under contract, or something like that?

The attorney must pay the abstractor then get reimbursed by the buyer or seller depending on who is paying for what according to the contract..

Since you would not lease a mold infested residence and you spent money to move in, having him reimburse you for the minor costs will be letting him off easy, you could ask for much more, but then you'd probably need an attorney.

It also means that you can't buy a bucket of paint on your credit card or pay a contractor from your personal checkbook and then have the IRA reimburse you.

Now, they’re wanting to re-paint the room with them providing labor, materials and me reimbursing for the paint ($75). 

For things like personal-deposits, credit card cash back payments, store reimbursement for products, how should these be categorized?

Option 1: $65,000.00 Net Loan Proceeds $1,156.21 Monthly Payment 120 Month Term 13.99% Fixed Interest Rate $2,995.00 Documentation Fee $1,950.00 Reimbursable Servicing Fee $4,550.00 Optional Limited Personal Guaranty 48 Month Lockout No Pre-Payment Penalty $74,495.00 Total Financed Amount (Includes Documentation Fee, Reimbursable Servicing Fee, and Optional Limited Personal Guaranty)Option 2: $65,000.00 Net Loan Proceeds $1,225.53 Monthly Payment 96 Month Term 12.49% Fixed Interest Rate $2,995.00 Documentation Fee $1,625.00 Reimbursable Servicing Fee $4,550.00 Optional Limited Personal Guaranty 48 Month Lockout No Pre-Payment Penalty $74,170.00 Total Financed Amount (Includes Documentation Fee, Reimbursable Servicing Fee, and Optional Limited Personal Guaranty)Option 3: $65,000.00 Net Loan Proceeds $1,306.04 Monthly Payment 84 Month Term 11.99% Fixed Interest Rate $2,995.00 Documentation Fee $1,462.50 Reimbursable Servicing Fee $4,550.00 Optional Limited Personal Guaranty 48 Month Lockout No Pre-Payment Penalty $74,007.50 Total Financed Amount (Includes Documentation Fee, Reimbursable Servicing Fee, and Optional Limited Personal Guaranty)Overall, I was impressed with the loan officer I talked with.