To take some of the ambiguity out of the question, my curiosity stems from a desire to understand from a taxation/strategy perspective, which situation makes the most sense.

I have been to only one tax sale (Garland County) out of curiosity rather than to actually purchase anything.

Conversely, a 30-year mortgage may make sense even on your primary residence and if you have a means of making the larger payments of a 15-year mortgage if you can use that extra money to invest at a rate that outgrows the interest you would be accruing otherwise.It gets kind of technical, but it boils down to how much do you want to leverage your debt?

Out of curiosity, how often, if at all, have any of you had a tenant maliciously damage your property prior to leaving? 

Out of curiosity, why did the previous owner not finish the house?

I'd ask them to pony up all the fees you accrued on your way to closing (inspections, gas spent driving etc) and ask them to write you a check for reimbursement in return for not pursuing legal action.

If they hold onto them and they appreciate more, they'd only pay CG taxes on the gain accrued after they inherited them.

Out of curiosity, why do you feel like you need a team?

You might try to contact law firm that handles the tax sales for the county that has the property to verify   the full price owed including possible interest accruing on struck off amount .

Just out of curiosity, doesn't it bother you to undercut the American economy by sending jobs to other countries?