Union City is also particularly sensitive about basement apartments: there was a program ~10+ years ago where many basement apartments were "legalized" to a third unit, but you'd likely not be able to get a certificate of occupancy today if you had to receive a new one because they don't comply with the current fire code (windows not large enough, no sprinkler system, etc.). 

After that the state issues a certificate of compliance and then I get to hire the people to put it back together. 

Take the total ARV, subtract rough estimate of fix up and all recorded liens.Get a copy of the decedent's death certificate which may reveal a next of kin.

First of all, if you haven't already, study and thoroughly understand the difference between a tax lien, tax certificate, and tax deed.

I currently have a certificate of sale, and it could be months until it is motioned in court.

In addition, I'm a notary public in California and I have an ABA approved certificate in paralegal studies as well.  

—At any time before the later of the filing of a certificate of sale by the clerk of the court or the time specified in the judgment, order, or decree of foreclosure, the mortgagor or the holder of any subordinate interest may cure the mortgagor’s indebtedness and prevent a foreclosure sale by paying the amount of moneys specified in the judgment, order, or decree of foreclosure, or if no judgment, order, or decree of foreclosure has been rendered, by tendering the performance due under the security agreement, including any amounts due because of the exercise of a right to accelerate, plus the reasonable expenses of proceeding to foreclosure incurred to the time of tender, including reasonable attorney’s fees of the creditor.

There is an exception to get a 2nd simultaneous FHA loan however you'll have to have one of these 4 situations to qualify along with 25% equity on your current property which it seems like you do (close enough):1) larger family size (evidenced with medical pictures/documents for legal adoption/birth certificates)2) You were a cosignor but not currently occupying a property of another FHA borrower and now you want to buy or qualify for your own FHA home loan3) legally separate from an exspouse with which whom you shared a FHA loan together on a home and now you want to qualify for your own FHA home loan4) you're relocating for a job (need employer offer letter signed/dated by employer or HR)Your other issue with qualification is DTI and that is often true that its capped at 45% DTI or debt to income however you can also go up to 50 or 50.5% too so there might be some room to work towards there to get that additional borrowing ability.Paying down your existing loan is probably the worst way to obtain more qualifying ability especially when your current note from FHA on your current property is at 2.70% as you mentioned. 

Any county or city zoning certificates  10.  

If you were in the area or if you have someone that really knows the market in the area you could take that gamble and it may pay off but just as easily it could leave you selling for half of what you purchased it for in 5 years.Now my final disclosure, BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING in Port Huron you need to go read the new zoning rules that the local government has passed that no longer allows rentals in certain neighborhoods as well as the landlording regulations that require rental certificates and inspections.I do want to let you know that when I started investing in Port Huron in '09 I had hoped to buy bad houses in the Hospital / College area, fix them up and rent them to stabilize that community.