I am hoping Real Estate Investing has a spot for a person like myself.

There isn't any speculation as you are buying the tax deed on the spot.

Another weirdness that you may or may not face...many of the homes were continually having big wet spots appear in/on the slabs, hundreds of people, were calling leak detection services, thinking an underground plumbing leak was causing these mystery wet spots.

I'd say that is pretty spot on considering the price comp apartments in the area are selling/asking for.

@Peter KimI bought it- one report for 20$ ( I use their rent collection as well) It seemed pretty spot on.

I didn't think it would happen so fast, but I was driving through a residential area near where I live and spotted a house for sale by owner on a low traffic street. 

It looks like there's no compact wider than 24mm, which it turns out I already have in a Fuji F500 I retired due to a couple of dust spots on the sensor.

THey are institutional i.e. private banks and generally really solid. rates are between hard money and conventional but they are a good option when in a spot such as yours.Try doing a general search in Scotsmans Guide.  

Look for telltale white spots, efflorescence on the lower part of the basement walls that commonly indicate the regular intrusion of water.

Never had the pleasure of having local TX bbq, but spot by does it and they have shiner bock so they have to be at least semi legit.