If a creditor files suit and obtains a Judgment, it is reasonable to anticipate that they will subsequently affix a Lien to any parcel of real property that you may own until the balance due has been satisfied.  However, if you do not subsequently seek Bankruptcy protection or work-out agreed payment terms with which you remain compliant, then they could potentially utilize that Lien to initiate a Foreclosure process.

Foreclosure proceedings are costly and time-consuming.  So the creditor must consider those factors in determining whether to exercise that option.  Further, if you have a mortgage, equity line of credit, delinquent property taxes and/or alternative Judgment Liens already affixed to the parcel, those obligations would have priority over the Judgment Lien holder initiating that process.  This means that the alternative entites would be paid first from the net proceeds of sale, and before the Lien holder receives any potential compensation for their efforts.  

Candidly, such circumstances do not necessarily dissuade all Judgment Lien holders from filing a Foreclosure action, as they may choose to utilize that process as leverage to force the debtor to address the outstanding obligation or face risk of losing their home ownership.

In those circumstances, it may still be possible to work-out an agreed payment arrangement or lump-sum settlement with the lender to resolve the issue.  Alternatively, the debtor could file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, and if eligible, potentially strip the Lien from the parcel, or alternatively repay the obligation via a Court-controlled payment over the life of a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.