It's my understanding that state tax liens (not just the county tax liens from the foreclosing county), child support, and mechanics liens survive the CA tax auctions as well. 

Some area inside EPA is quite okay these days.To be very honest , the way to survive in this location are three key things:1. needs to own a house, and house in the are currently is quite affordable from its standard.2. needs dual income family, with one side working at tech / finance / ; or maybe construction.Lot of hard worker people, not just the one in tech, is very succesful in the area due to high income earner and lot of jobs. 

@Christy Harris That certainly sounds interesting.

@Chris Seveney @Theresa Harris The current owner is using one of his friends who lives in the area for showing, it's an option.

You survived.

It's a high risk business and if you play the game of "racing to the bottom," to survive in the business, you either cut corners and build crappy houses or you just stop showing up.

Quote from @Theresa Harris: I don't know about financing, but if they need that much work, it doesn't matter what they are worth after renos (except to you)...it is what they are worth in their current condition. 

Quote from @Theresa Harris: It really depends on who will rent it.

Then they can tell you what gets removed/survives closing.As far as closing and the ex-wife, ask title or your atty. 

Most examples I have found provide information on how to survive a hurricane not on the specifics of what I am required as landlord to do when a hurricane comes around.