Just as an FYI, about 99 out of 100 times a non-auction investor "hears" about a property selling for half price or some other crazy price it turns out he was mistaken somehow.

@Tony SepassiAbout half the states are Tax Certificate states and about half are Tax Deed States, rules vary widely, here all liens transfer to the new owner including taxes, municipal liens, mortgages, liens, judgments, etc.

Half the basement was finished, the other half had a 1 car garrage and a work area.

Explain to her half of nothing = no money .

The previous owner rented to this tenant at about half the going rent with some casual verbal agreement in place that the tenant would be doing repairs and/or upgrades to the property.When I got the place there was six months left to run on the lease.

A year and a half ago we bought our first home in North Austin with an attached apartment which has been renovated and is rented out.

I tend to go for the "low hanging fruit" The easiest to reach, and most likely to respond people.

Also, there are income tax exclusions only available to you as an individual home owner, for the half you live in.

Why would it take three guys a week and a half to paint the interior of what is probably a 3/2 tract home?

You didn't say what exactly you want to do with your investing but if you are looking at doing rentals the Northern Worcester County Landlord Association in Fitchburg is probably the easiest one for you to get to (Believe the next meeting is actually tomorrow).