You can make minor adjustments based on the type of appliances (dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, air conditioning, etc.) and the size of the rental.

I am currently house hacking a duplex with air bnb to cover our mortgage!

Japan also does not have laws preventing foreigners from purchasing property in their country. 

A subject to deal is to prevent the property to be in foreclosure not to allow the seller to foreclose to you.Use other people's money and not your own.

Unclear if the lien has expired, and if surplus funds would go to the COA According to the COA State laws i found this:Thelien is not effective 1 year after the claim of lien was recordedunless, within that time, an action to enforce the lien is commenced.The 1-year period is automatically extended for any length of timeduring which the association is prevented from filing a foreclosureaction by an automatic stay resulting from a bankruptcy petitionfiled by the parcel owner or anyother person claiming an interest in the parcel.

But the mythos around the "good deal" prevents so many first-time investors from buying at all because they're scared of looking dumb. 

That cannot be prevented. 

Our early plan was 5 houses, paid for, to offset my Air Force pension for the time when I got out to be Mom.  

1000%That said, having a CPA should never be the thing that prevents you from doing your first deal.

Same with an aging AC, if it works and blows appropriately cold air, it's not a defect.