Foreclosure is due to nonpayment of a HOA lien, then there will bad days ahead if you win the bid and there is a mortgage on the property as all mortgages recorded prior to the lien are superior.

(If not, AFAIC, that's a good thing) Are there any liens against the property?

The debt reduction people advertise on TV here, but mostly for IRS liens but they do other debts.

@Brie Schmidt I know that when you and I last spoke a lot of your properties were 2, 3, and 4 flats but if you have any 5+ buildings or 2 properties that are contiguous and equal 5+ units in Chicago, we don't have a limit on number of loans or outstanding exposure. 

I was his only worker setting trusses and running shingles so I was overworked underpaid if paid at all so I walked off the job like I said he texted me saying he’s not paying me because I screwed him over what should I do how do I do a merchant lien do I give him the notice of lien(my boss Which is the sub of the sub of the general contractor) And if they don’t pay me within 15 days or so then I file the lien who do I give the notice of intent to gc ,sub,sub of sub(my boss)

If you don't pay the contractor they can slap a mechanic's lien on your house.Buying a foreclosure might be a good idea for a first time home buyer if they can rehab themselves or people who worked in construction and have a good contracting team.I hope this helps,Happy Investing,Charles

@Bella Gilbert as a beginner foreclosures may be a little tricky to deal with as there are a few more steps than a traditional wholesale (assigning of a purchase agreement) .What worked for me was driving for dollars and specialized tax lien list.

Should I just purchase the home in my name and have him place a lien on it, or should I write him a check and take a lien myself? 

Jay Hinrichs, my Dad would but he is retired and has a mortgage and outstanding debt...so I don't know if that would help or hurt the scenario. 

If one year isn't paid, the tax lien is offered for sale later that year or the following year.