Will or no will, high value or low value, multiple heirs or a single child, mortgages or no debts, all these things will be factors in determining the complexity of the case.Since you'll need to know the next of kin (either directly or obtained from death certificate) you'll also need to think through what you'd say to someone who just lost a close relative. 

Sorry for your troubles, but we have a contract.They need to provide a death certificate and get a release of the security deposit from the other guy's estate.If they qualify without the third member, I would execute a revised lease in their names only.

At this time I am leaning on tax certificates and tax deeds Fix and Flip, and Buy and Hold stuff.  

I'd purchase a resale certificate before the auction and review their financials, governing documents and minutes. 

I order a Municipal Lien Certificate from the city (confirms if taxes are outstanding as well as water, betterments etc) I used to do the title exam myself but the national title company want a third party because they would also have malpractice if anything is missed) I review what they send me and make a judgment as to the marketability of the title or if there are any other issue so the mortgage company is in first place (so I would order pay offs of any current mortgages or judgment liens, etc)Most of the registry of deeds info is available on line so I can double check or do a preliminary search (or anyone can search for that matter) As for getting copies on line, you usually need to be registered and have an account because they do charge by the copy.

When I've been ask if I accept/take section 8, I simply reply, "the facility has not been qualified for section 8", which is a true statement.I do have a Certificate of Occupancy from the City, so yes it has been inspected, but just  not by the Housing Authority. 

Besides losing money from your registration fee and tax certificate fee (assuming they pay before the 14% interest period), are there any other downsides or other ways to lose money that new investors to the process should be aware of?

So there was really no reasoning with him, he seriously believes he doesn't have to pay taxes.My question is is there any way I can ensure to be in the first position to buy the tax certificate so I don't lose the property?

This article was on the front page on finance.yahoo.com couple days ago.I don't think he holds any security licenses or financial advisory certification like the series 65, 6, 63 or CFP, but he is a computer science major who started a personal finance blog 10 years ago because he was bored.

This property says there is a certificate of purchase that was recently recorded.