You'll want to talk to a local probate attorney to see how much time that could take.If the squatter is not making mortgage payments, you've got perhaps another month or two before the lender begins foreclosure proceedings.In your situation, I would approach the squatter to see inside the property to assess the condition.

Put your number on the national do not call list. https://www.donotcall.gov/Takes 2-3 months to kick in.

In a seller finance scenario and my new posed scenario can I get both parties to agree to let me start paying 3-6 months down the road after the rehab and I start cashflowing?

It's been generating an average monthly profit of $1,000.

Prior to that lawsuit, Realtors all charged the same commission.

I think they charge 2k or 2,500 or something and they'll do some legwork on the tax sale and then I believe they work with title companies so that they can insure the title (maybe they underwrite the title policy or something, i don't really know how they work). 

You don't need to know everything to get started; you need a foundation to build on, and the rest will come through experience and then refining your education.You can build a basic understanding of investing in 3-6 months.

I live in CA full time so only go to Portugal every few months.

My net income is now $121 a month (from $402 when first rented out to $224). 

I don't know where you fall, but if you are aggressive, then there are lots to choose from (more than 100 deals a month) and they are very easy to locate.