New investor looking to meet like minded people to partner up with and create win-win scenarios.

They cut out the middle man, don't pay above market value, get better returns, have hands on local infrastructure and everybody wins.

I know that the 1st mortgage survives the lien and if I were to win the HOA auction but my question is how can I find out how much is owed on the mortgage?  

The first thing I did when I sat down with a brokerage firm was explain my expectations...I plan to invest, I plan to use creative financing, because there is a huge market we are leaving out by not implementing it, and I plan to specialize in win-win solutions (again using creative financing)... if the brokerage could not agree and support my objectives, I would not agree to align myself with a brokerage that I will be paying some of my income yet subjecting myself to lose money due to abiding by their scared rules.

If not, I suspect you will at least add to your Buyers list for future deals.Over the past 33 years, I have had many deals that didn't close but served to introduce me to Buyers & Investors that I went on to do deals with later.For me, it's a "win" either way. 

I can tell you that $539/mo Net Cash Flow in Dallas is a big, big win!  

I hear it is much like Poker, as I know nothing about Poker the real players I hear are not looking at each hand they win or loose on, but what did they accomplish during the whole season or year.

He desperately wants a buyer to bid and hopefully win the auction so that they can set up a creative financing deal to return the home to him as it has sentimental value to him and his family.

However, I agree with you that real estate will be fine from a longer term prospective as I believe that Inflation will eventually win over the short term deflation.I also agree with your investment philosophy to buy the best asset class you can afford and appreciation is where true wealth is built.

You can have all the contracts in the world, but if they other guy has more money, they'll bleed you dry in court so you might win a small battle, but you'll lose the war.