That said it can be tough to track down the right people, and the surplus may be due a lien, judgement, or mortgage holder.

If your lucky enough to still have a regional or local bank in your area you can go to them but more then likely you will have to be an account holder with substantial holdings and a history with the bank.

Also, would all five properties need to be in the same state and under the same title holder's name?  

The county wont let the homeowner schedule it, it has to be the license holder. 

Our land contract holder paid us off early in October because they sold the house. 

And, how to negotiate with lien holders to discount before auction, because I learned that at that point the first mortgage would get paid leaving nothing ($0.00) for anyone else.

I bought the 2nd from the original lender. The house has sufficient equity to cover the 1st and the 2nd.I own the 2nd and we want to take ownership subject to the 1st. and then cure the 1st refinance it. If I hold a t...

Y would then increase the price so he can create profit for himself after paying X the $25K purchase price.In your case, it looks like the company who showed you the house is not the actual holder of the contract to assign, because he's charging more than the other company.  

With our blood, sweat and tears, our main strategy will focus on raising capital by way of retirement account holders and purchasing investment property through a joint-venture agreement.

For a list of homeowners with equity, private note holders, foreclosure lists, etc., listsource, RealtyTrac, SiteX, and DataQuick are reasonably accurate.