This is why real estate agents don't carry their MLO licenses simultaneous to their realtor license and visa versa.

You'll need the upper hand, absent some other catalyst on the part of the lien holder.

Now, if at the foreclosure auction the winning bid exceeds the amount owed to the bank (and all other lien holders in turn), then there is a requirement to pass along those excess funds to the defaulted borrower (former owner) as the accrued equity that they held.

Your note may have been made before the current restriction, if they are correct, it doesn't mean you can't buy it IMO, just release the lien and it's unsecured debt but timing matters.You do know a note purchase is not a real estate transaction and you don't need to close at a title company, but there is insurance matters.Your note was funded by equity in the sale by the holder, he didn't lend cash.

Shorting the first would be easier because the second lien holder (you!)

@Todd DexheimerThere’s a second lien holder involved (I borrowed the down payment).

As for who would give a pay off statement or receive the pay off payment if you sold, it would be your current servicer, Not the actual holder of your note.....this is what a serviced does.

@J ScottI’m all for taking self responsibility.The reason I wasn’t there was because my visa to enter the US was denied and that’s caused a myriad of problems.

You have no idea what the final price will be, especially if there are 2nd or subsequent lien holder(s). 

The last time it was sold was 1984 and the previous owner has no record of who he sold it to 25 years ago, and the trust manager is a commissioned employee who isn't going to give the name of the interest holders of the trust.Any advice on how to find out who the owner is without paying for a title search?