LOL I know this thread is old, and I just wanted to add I use all the above mentioned strategies with great results.

what is needed to finalize and what to look for?

Then as I finally started looking, it seemed this was the best way for me to go.

The final redemption date was listed in bold letters on the deed.

It was preferred to buying it before the sale with a ton of liens attached.I've seen a few done lately with private lenders, smaller mortgage companies, mouse houses(last resort lenders), small local banks, but anyone larger or national your just going to hit the "clerk wall" and have to wait for the red tape, the company lawyers trying to justify their existence, and for them to finally offer it.Really miss the old days when you dealt with the bank executives direct, they did better for the bank, and it was still good for us.

Pay or quit gets results every time.

Normally they rotate between 4 currencies with the idea that the FX movement results in lower debt repayment over time.There is also the carry trade which is very big business.

The result?

The last thing I wanted or needed was to appear something I wasn't and have problems as a result of it.

I went into about 100+ houses making who knows how many offers, and finally got one.