If they are not interested in paying for an alarm system, we would keep all the hardware where it's at just make sure they understand it is not activated.What are your thoughts and standard procedure when you encounter this?

Also Brandon, because Washington is not going to be my prime market (Wisconsin is going to be) then I don't want to wrap my brain around all the laws and procedures involved with renting here in Washington.

I don't buy in TX, and auction procedures vary from state to state so I'll just try to be general.Buying at auction is truly a professional's game.

For example, my company's lender says (pg. 29 of their 10-K) "Underwriting criteria and procedures for commercial real estate loans generally include ...

@Jake Kozul Find the owner and strike   a deal, BEFORE you pay their taxes.There is another more complicated procedure called ADVERSE POSSESSION, however in Michigan it takes 15 YEARS, and has strict requirements.

Trusting accounting statements which are almost always massaged is more risk than I care to incur.   

Check your local procedures in advance.

You have to go through a Quiet Title Action to verify the procedure and extinguish these liens.

They answer my legal and procedure questions and review my contracts while advising me.

I then had to sign a multiple offer document, but my realtor said I'll get the house, it is just procedure to sign when someone else makes an offer.