Buy high quality rentals and buy private & public debt, then some equities.If you want to occupy your time some more, go find off-market in high quality areas and start managing some renovations.

On the other hand, a "served by publication" heir could argue the guardian ad litem did not do their job well, the heir should not be foreclosed from claiming the tax sale was void, and they ALWAYS have 3 years after the tax deed date to assert their rights and cannot lose them simply because of a GAL who did not assert the correct defenses on behalf of the unknown or unfound heirs.

My net worth in RE is well over 50% (don't want to go into specific numbers on a public forum).

I’m a 22-year federal public servant and looking to get into real estate full time!

Quote from @Dan Lucchesi:To clarify, when you say, "so is being a Real Estate Professional," I assume you are referring to the IRS recognition of qualifying real estate professional, rather than to the the public's widely understood meaning of the phrase, correct? 

I am under contract for my second duplex, and am thinking it will be time for me to begin hiring out lawn care, as I do not plan to have means to transport equipment between properties or dedicate time to a low value task.

Ensure you look professional to the public.

Under contract with a public builder and ran into a delay (due to close last November) when the city administration completely turned over and changed course at the exact time we submitted our DA. 

Another way to find a property management company that knows those zip codes is to search rentals in those zip codes on Zillow or HAR and see who has many listings and see how they are presenting the property to the public with their pics and description of the properties.

Are you able to tell which ones are the A class, B class, and C class properties based on how much it is being sold for and what types of public schools are available in the area?