Oregon Tax Foreclosure

[Amanda M Laird]

I just put an offer in on a house yesterday.  It is the true meaning of a fixer upper!  Needs a new foundation, new septic, new siding, new heating system, etc.  But luckily there is plenty of room in the budget to make all these and still come out ahead.  So I was scouring the internet this morning and I decided to look up the tax information.  I found out they owe 4 years worth of back taxes equating over $21k.  The county said it starts the foreclosure process May 15th this year.  They weren't very helpful or knowledgeable past that point.  

I brought it up to my realtor and she said they would be required to pay off the taxes before it goes into escrow so it would have a clean title, and not to worry about any liens on the property.  My question is if they DONT pay the taxes, is there a way to buy the tax lien?  Im not sure of all the Oregon rules on tax liens.  I know there is a 2 year redemption period.  Can I buy the right of redemption?  Can I buy the tax lien?  Just wanting to know if anybody out there is an expert in this area and might be able to shed more light on the subject.

Thanks!