For example, in my state PA there is an inheritance tax and many TAX auction properties originate from people passing away and the heir(s) not taking control over the estate and paying those property taxes.

Originally posted by @Deborah Burian:Ok, I wasn't spamming (I don't even sell anything I could spam) but I was pasting a "hi" message to new members THE SITE RECOMMENDED TO ME.

ThanksThis thread is 4 years old and I'd be surprised if the original poster is still around.   

My name is Cesar and I am originally from Puerto Rico but have been living in Virginia for over 20 years.

Originally from Pennsylvania, retired from the Navy in 2018, moved to Boise, ID (where I am now), and decided I want to buy my first investment property this year.

Hey @Mike Nelson, never assume anything about STR rules and regs.Here is the STR rules for Oak Park - https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/oakparkil/latest/oakpa...I would call the city and make sure it is legal for a specific property.Now regarding the famous person angle, sure it can add value to the property or as a STR, but for STR use, I would think you would need it to be in original condition with a lot of the furniture and knick-knacks that were owned by the famous person along with a bunch of photos etc featuring the famous person.If you buy a place that has been totally redone but was owned by someone famous but has no features or things that were theirs, then I don't see it being a draw. 

It's not just shorter-term downturns to be aware of, real estate just like the stock market can experience 10 year periods of no growth. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/csushpinsa

I reach out to the original borrower and ask them what’s going on.

Say my original loan was $500K, my cost basis with improvements is $1M and I cash out refinance with a $1M loan (can I include the interest of the new loan into cost basis since it’s reimbursing me my cost basis)?

Unlike a foreclosure, a deed in lieu of foreclosure does not extinguish any of the liens and encumbrances affecting the property.Most courts recognize the execution of a deed in lieu of foreclosure in a transaction subsequent to the original mortgage transaction as a legitimate alternative to foreclosure proceedings.