After assessing the property's value and market conditions, we confidently made a competitive cash offer of $180,000.

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of buyer's agent commissions and their implications.

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.

Dumb question, but is asking a police officer to swing by just to assess if there is weed (quick smell test) be too much/a violation of anything/asking for trouble?

As noted above, a lot of buyers in those auctions are the same people who buy dozens if not hundreds of houses in auctions, sometimes all over the state or multiple states.

I hope to hold as a LTR and believe in the area long-term.Some decisions will have to be made when this whole thing finally comes to fruition, especially regarding interest rates, insurance, assessments, etc, but hope to hold!

I have a nearly couple dozen in the area and my average rent is almost $900.Be careful who you take advice from

Better to have half a dozen high end paid for props that take very little work and not so much drama..

Definitely make those assessments during inspection or prior to making an offer if you can to save yourself the time. 

It's common for syndicators to have 1 or 2 reviews from investors on their website, however, Grocapitus has been lucky enough to receive dozens of reviews from actual investors.