Who knows.I'd recommend getting a licensed contractor out there to get you a bid. 

Ed, there is not enough information to answer your questions.did you foreclose the right of redemptionhas the judge sign off on your tax sale certificateis the property occupied or vacantdo you have to file an eviction of the existing owner or tenantdo you have enough money to foreclosedo you intend to get a mortgage on itI have done many tax sales deals - my objectives could be ..... 1. sell it now after legal ownership is acquired2. clean it up and sell it for a profit3. keep it to rent4. offer it at public auction - let others bid against others to push the price way up5. sell it back to the owner6. put together a joint venture - raise money to renovate it 

In my local area, most properties are being bid up well over asking price so if you try to offer at or below asking, the selling agent will ignore your offer.A final note, you can also filter deals by the age (Days on Market - all the way to the right side) and find stuff that has been sitting there.  

Interview contractors to acquire bids?

All of our windows were wood-core Anderson windows and the replacement windows bid (just for the windows) was 8,000.00. 

If there are multiple bid, then you gain little edge by having pre-approval letter along with the offerSecond- What kind of Loan should I go for? 

I think what you are looking for is someone trained in the ways of real estate investing - an agent that will:Introduce you to FSBO's - Expired Listings and other real estate opportunitiesWill be your fiduciary representativeWill make offers for you on suitable real estateWho understands creative financing; delayed settlement, seller assisted financing, assignment, wholesaling, REO, tenant selection, soft money mortgages, tax salesWho will be responsive to your financial goals and a person of integrity and trustHelp with direct mail and street marketing to locate transactionsHousing and rent court marketingAbsolute aware of financial and contract clauses as well as contract engineeringCan assist in - delayed settlement - automatic extension, performance mortgages, subordination, principal mortgages, options and joint venturesAware of bidding on REO, forclosures, tax sales and public auctionsUp to speed on commercial real estate, lots and land as well as businesses with real estateHow should you treat this wonderful person (if you can find one) -They should have a commitment from in the form of a Fiduciary Buyers Brokers AgreementYour agreement to pay them a commission on any non-listed deals they bring youA bonus agreement for great deals that you closeA gas budget - or a cash payment for gas Kind words and respectTo be sincere and active with the agentRespect from youFirst class training on how to represent youSometimes an equity interest in the great deals the agent has initiatedListings when you are ready to sellYour cooperation - all your financials, tax returns and other information that will help your agent close dealsA few free lunches ----Good luck --- Charles

Keep in mind who won the ones you attended and how they did their bidding.

After getting bids you may find that you can only afford to use sweat equity and this can be a burden on your social and family life.Good luck!!

Getting a referral from a fellow investor is OK, however that contractor may be good for the referee, but could be not so good for someone else.Contractors are special individuals - they too are chasing the buck and trying to get the best deal possible.You may want to write specifications  of what you want done - once you know what you want you can better compare bids from workman.I have found that meeting real people with real tools at a time they are buying supplies and materials at Home Depot 5:30 - 6 am picking up stuff to do their daily work is sometimes an effective way to find the craftsman you are looking for at a price that will serve you well.Getting referrals is OK - but how do you know that they didn't over-charge the person who is referring you to them?