For financing, am I on the right track with who I've talked to already, or do I need be someone who throws leverage to the wind and simply keep a fat wad of cash for PP+Rehab costs in my bank account until it's time to use and simply skip financing all together?

@Gene Walker, The former owner can raise this issue in several ways.1) They can provide sufficient evidence to the tax collector to persuade that person to declare the sale void. 

You have two homes that are rented at 1,000 and 1,050 a month with 2 year leases.No mortgages on either home.Both houses were purchased and renovatedOne Is worth 135k wIth about 30k equity.One Is worth 130k wIth about 50k equity.Do you sit fat and happy with these two?

@Gene Han yes, what’s the question?

Wait for the right pitch...a fat pitch.

Hello Gene, also a newbie here but it occurs to me that you could find a lender that understands your goal and may agree to a large down payment with your father as co-signer. 

@Gene Chandler Thanks for sharing!

As they say,,,, Pigs get fat, HOGS get slaughtered. 

And if you find a good one you can even walk away with a big fat check at closing.

"It's a whole new business by Gene Trowbridge" is great.