MLS does not display (and govern) buyer agent co-boke, so no buyers need to sign a buyer agency with an agent before showings.

There are a lot of government programs to help people to get into $100k homes.  

I know a European fellow who bought an island and Airbnb the entire place. 

People have all kinds of proposed work arounds, but that's good until it is time to sell or the government decides to crack down and they do now and then. 

I've read (all my knowledge is theoretical) that tenants on government assistance can be really rough on properties (I also see that as painting with a broad brush) but the government assistance side of that is pretty stable income, and it doesn't seem terribly difficult to raise rent either, just requires 60-days notice instead of 30. 

Last thing you want is to decide to sell after you've been abroad for a while, and then owe both the foreign and the US government on the capital gains.  

Normally does not wipe out government liens like IRS, demolition, mowing, preservation, etc.Some place it also does not wipe out water/sewer/utility liens.IRS I believe has 120 days to act after the foreclosure, I can think the other ones sunset.

Government backed loans are assumable and by the way they do not have the Due-on-sale clause inserted in 1970.

You might want to explore Athens or Decatur, still within commuting distance to Huntsville government jobs, but real estate prices not so high. 

Being unemployed is a ***** and our government leadershit is not making things better.