Next I would attend local REI clubs and try to speak to someone who has invested out of state successfully the way you are looking to do. 

I've been doing that hands on since 2004 with great success and low risk.

I have not done much research on the topic, because I prefer to have an immediate transaction as opposed to investing and having money tied up for a year.My question is, have any of you had a success story from tax sales?  

I ask because I looked thru the Owner/Investor packet that a successful bid would get, and the options for type of financing are : FHA, conventional, cash, 203k (if I am reading correctly). 

There is nothing wrong with distance etc, but it should be left to experienced investor to ensure success, because it is more complicated and difficult.

I also hope to gain valuable insight to be successful and avoid pitfalls.

In the beginning of this year i did my first successful flip.  

Did you ever try this and were you successful, if you were what did you do?

any success?

Usually they have those guru education that you pay 3, 40, 100k for a real estate education and be successful at flipping/buy & holds.