So a group that has good networking and interesting topics but is a hour or more away may be a good choice if you meet the people you need to connect withOnce you have located a few groups that you like, get on their email list or meetup notifications so that you can attend events that interest you.You are welcome at our Black Diamond events, URL in my profileGood luck!

Seems pretty black and white to me that the Seller has to pay for these past due taxes... but any advice to ensure the seller follows through?

@Matthew Charron I do hope someone takes you up on your offer.In case no one does though, I'd recommend you attend a local real estate investor group like Black Diamond REI in southern Mass. or RI Real Estate Investors Group in RI.You'd want to engage several people in conversation, particularly during the times at the beginning and end of the meetings when folks typically network, and maybe ask a few folks out to coffee.Many people look for "mentors", and that might work for you, but another approach to consider would be just to try making friends with people who are one or two steps ahead.So maybe they're not successful full-time investors (the Holy Grail of Mentor-seeking), but instead own one or two rental properties, or have done one or two successful flips, or really anything in one of the directions you want to go.I find that can be easier to achieve, and you can get a lot out of it because such folks are very familiar with the challenges you face - after all, it wasn't long ago they were at that same point themselves.

Example is, leave the black glue on the floor and carpet over it, or better yet, tile over it.

We have been told the carpet was cleaned 2 times and they were unable to get it up.Separate issue that may be related but unknown, in the living room and kitchen a slight black soot is collecting on some of the windows, ceiling, and oddly enough inside the refrigerator.

According to the current Shiller PE Ratio (aka Cyclically Adjusted PE Ratio, aka CAPE Ratio), of 30 we are at a height only matched by Black Friday and exceeded by Dot Bomb (ref http://www.multpl.com/shiller-pe/).

Anything alligator skin looking will have to be replaced but just black wood you can Kilz it to alleviate the smell.  

The repair cost will probably be less than the deductible, and who wants a black mark with the insurance company?

To get it in that condition would be roughly (and I've estimated high on all of it)Upgrade to hardwoods on second floor, and refinish first floor. 12KPaint interior 5KUpgrade appliances and plumbing fixtures. 5KUpgrade electrical fixtures (some have been upgraded to stylish black wrought iron look which is popular here) 2KNew HVAC first floor (second floor HVAC replaced already) 5KLandscaping 5K (this may be really high, but I figure it pads the other numbers in case something comes up)Total rehab 34KSo we've had some investors come and look at the house and offers range from 290-300K.

If you use the ones that look like tile, they have the splits in the grout lines and no matter how hard you try you are going to have black lines (where the grip strips meet) here and there in the grout lines.