I do not see tremendous long term upside appreciation potential in Palmdale in spite of the nice and true things you mentioned ... just too many empty buildable lots to keep a cap on pricing.

All the rules regarding tax sale can vary tremendously by state and even local jurisdiction.

@Lane Babin Welcome to BP, I hope your inspiration turns into inspired action and you find tremendous success with real estate.  

Response rate is tremendously higher this way.

Cash flows are not great but both have appreciated tremendously.  

@Kenneth Garrett @Zach Scheer - thank you both for such timely help, I wish you tremendous prosperity and happiness, so kind of you to guide me here

I lived there during the 70's and 80's when oil got hit bad and there were tremendous amounts of foreclosures.

It's a bit of a challenge to get started but the benefits are tremendous once you have developed a relationship w/investors on a personal level and start delivering on your projects.  

Taking that 2 day prep course should help you tremendously.

Congrats, I am a former PM also it helps tremendously in finding investment properties for my commercial real estate business.