The simplest question to ask "If I buy at the auction, will the title be clear, marketable, and insurable?

Some of this begins to become work, however.For my money, rehab loans are the simplest, safest, and most time efficient approach for the return.Jeff

That's clearly the simplest way to go with your  1031 property.

But that's me, it's the simplest and easiest way to do things. 

So I say being a newbie and can not get the simplest thing down is very frustrating to me.

Your simplest option would be to talk to local property managers.

Assuming you want the simplest option, keeping it and letting it appreciate while getting, frankly, some amazing monthly income, is the obvious answer.

In the simplest of examples, if we have a UPB of $45 and a payoff is requested for the loan the amount due will exceed $45 mainly due to the per diem interest required to pay.  

What would be the simplest, easiest, and most cost efficient way for me to get the property?   

I find it simplest to start the life span count down when installed and estimate its monthly replacements cost across all months of the life of the item.Again I am not trying to be discouraging as I think it is great you have started your REI pursuits.