I recently passed up on a judicial foreclosure in part due to an outstanding  senior deferral and IRS liens.

There are nationwide lenders. 

There are nationwide NON-QM Non-Owner Occupied Investment lenders that don't require seasoning (on down payment, LLC, etc) and no income verification without going hard money.

Should I be prepared in 2019 to pay for all the outstanding liens against the property to ensure that I don't lose my investment?

One thing I have noticed nation wide is the states are far less likely to do something to someone who always closes on the transactions one way or the other.I assume they consider that a victimless technicality.

You will have to pay for the foreclosure process, plus outstanding municipal charges and interim taxes.

Maybe it's different in Southern California but in my area and nationwide where I've managed portfolios in bankruptcy for the last 25 years, that's what happens.

We have only had 4-5 years of solid positive growth nationwide and are just above the previous market cycles pricing for homes.

In addition, historically there is outstanding appreciation in San Diego (both Property and rent appreciation). 

Rates and terms will vary.But you will buy the land, then get a construction loan and they will give you almost a budget of $15M to build.Normally they are interest only and you only pay interest on the amount of the budget that is outstanding.