Even if you get a great deal that is 20% below market, appraisers will typically be anchored by the last sale price and you may be stuck not being able to pull out as much cash as you need to pay off the HELOC.

However, if your father inherits and later transfers the home, it should qualify for a step-up in basis to fair market value, reducing future tax liability.If the goal is to tap into equity, having the trust take out a HELOC may be a better option, avoiding California Prop 19 reassessment, which could raise property taxes significantly.

Which market do you have experience in and how is your experience working remotely with your real estate team in the area?  

As well - for redemption periods please see the following post.Alabama Tax Sale Redemption Rights, Denise Evans post.For those interested in this, please see this post from the market place.

Try networking locally with HML's who know the market. 

From there we identify properties that could have some potential and if you are interesting in diving deeper, 1) we do a thorough video walkthrough to give you a realistic look of the property, 2) we give a ballpark estimate of rehab costs (we do 40 a year with our GCs o we will get pretty close), 3) we talk through market rent with our property management team, ARV, and potential highest and best use.Ideally you find great investor agents who know their market really well and have a network of resources to provide you with enough confidence to take reasonable action. 

I am an experienced investor and unexpectely find myself managing a duplex myself and wondering if there is a small landlord (aka inexpensive) simple solution for marketing, background checks and lease creation that markets on zillow? 

Quote from @Bud Meacham: The market is very competative in California.

We accept all applications and in the case of section 8 the only real time we don’t is if the numbers don’t make sense with market rent vs HUD standard.  

Lenders do not look at your personal income or debt and will use the current market rent or lease (up to 120% if the lease is significantly higher than market rent or vice versa) as qualifying income.