I don't know if that's helpful - I did not have a "rock solid" financial position at first - I took a shot on what I believed to be the best odds of success with my house-hack as soon as I thought the odds were in my favor to a significant degree.

Let the numbers speak not your emotions.Make sure your offer and LOI spell out favorable terms ofro you to have enough time to do your due dilligence in order to pull back or lower the price should a skeleton pop out of the closet ;-)Send me a DM if you'd like to bounce off a few ideas.

But all the Alabama Supreme Court rulings that I have read has ruled in favor of the previous land owner being able to redeem the property, unless you have a tax deed and have had adverse  for 3 years after obtaining the tax deed.

Also, financing for an LLC is at higher interest rate and less favorable terms than personal.If your daughter lives in one unit, then your risk (should be) is cut in half (if talking about a duplex).

Is there a way to bend things in my favor?

My payments are either after the work is completed or at a draw rate that is in my favor.  

@Eric Veronica I’m looking at an FHA loan to utilize the BRRRR strategy, lower down payment, worse terms, but I would eventually be refinancing out of the loan to have more favorable terms with a conventIonal loan.

I stack the odds in my favor and hope for the best.  

You will probably find a more favorable interest rate with a refi than HELOC. 

These products are a great fit for buy and hold investors and offer favorable terms and underwriting processes compared to traditional Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans - also helps you to get around maxing out your 8-10 loan limit with the government loans.