In other words if there are any issues that arise outside of your initial walk through with a GC that will have a significant impact on your budget(you can even set a $ amount), make sure they know it is up to them to provide you with the necessary information for you to make a decision, ie. pictures, furthermore they should not proceed without your approval.  

So by joining the studio to the unfinished space with a set of stairs, I can wall off the unit's initial entrance allowing each unit its own private entrance.

Even with hand written and supper targeted letters I don't get much response until the 4th or 5th letter...If you're thinking about the money you spend on leads this is a good way to reduce the initial cost.

I initially wanted to finance but I realized it was difficult to buy a place in a price range under $100K because the cash investors are buying up all the low income properties. 

There are 3 years of this certificate available so if I buy the 2011-12 certificate, that is at least 2 years old and will enable me to initiate the Tax Deed Process.  

My initial plan I'd to have a property management company handle it since I am out of the country.

They pull 3 active and 3 sold comps in addition to completing an interior evaluation of the property with an initial breakdown of needed repairs to get the property in resalable condition.

The fines are not something to sneeze over, and with Oahu's housing "crisis" I think it will get worse before it gets better.Like I said initially -- be comfortable with the risk/reward tradeoff if you are considering this strategy.

@Lenin BelangondaI bet @Andrew LeBaronwould have a good property mgmt rec in Phoenix for you 

I would greatly appreciate it.Thank you for initiating this post.