This is a different foreclosure process. I have never been involved in tax lien sales before. A few years back I was going to invest in tax liens but never pursued it. As an investment vehicle tax liens in California suck but in other states that I looked at there was some potential opportunity. Anyways, tax liens are even higher then lenders liens on the property. Admittedly I do not know of the process of what happens when an HOA forecloses on a property. I am puzzled though that the HOA attorneys have somehow put a tax lien on the property but I am a pup when it comes to those issues so however that was done, I guess it was done.
As far as your rights go, you may be able to stave off the inevitable. Make no mistake though, eventually you will be out one way or another.