Currently, interest rates, taxes, and insurance are very high, making it difficult to cashflow with downpayments that are below 40%.

As far as flying (tax deductible too) You can do that and if it's in the states the total trip shouldn't cost you more than $2000 all in with lodging. 

Keep in mind that property owners have experience significant hikes in their costs as well (property insurance and property taxes). 7.

Sometimes the recorders office may not be online but the tax appraiser is.

When you file your taxes at the end of the year the accountant is going to ask you for your receipts or what and how much you want to write off using deductions.

Some might not be livable at purchase but 5k still seems cheap unless there is something off with the data. maybe the prices were reduced on unlivable properties due to back taxes being part of the deal for the purchase.

After collecting tenant pass-throughs for the year, do you pay the property taxes at the end of the year or the beginning of the next year?

Is your DSCR ratio greater than 1-meaning are you cash flowing (according to the lender's criteria of mortgage, property taxes and insurance (and HOA) if applicable).

The homeowner has direct title, can sell at any time and gets 100% of the appreciation and tax benefits on these houses.

Very sad, very taxing, a lot of effort before you have a deal to show for it.