I haven't done any deals yet, but have reached out to a local REI in my area, as well as a Law Office that handles RE transactions to get an idea of legal issues I may have to contend with as well as the cost side of things.

With the tax sale coming quickly this isnt a good contender but I know a tax buyer and you can run it by them.  

You'll also have to contend with their rules and regulations, the main one being the primary residence rule.  

People need to go back to their history books and research the influence that foreign merchants had on the creation of this country to create a viable contender to royalty-based power.

The other typical contender is an LLC, but maintaining that entity is expensive.

If the home is not occupied you have to contend with the potential damage done by vandals and thieves.

We'll have two addresses to contend with.

No doubt even more monies have flowed into LA and other U.S.A. metropolitans, but they have been able to absorb the demand better than Vancouver (here's where the geographical constraints loom large).I still contend that you cannot sustain a local economy when the folks who are the cogs in that machine cannot afford to live in relative proximity to their work.    

There are laws against constructive eviction and he might be contending that he left because you were in violation of habitability standards or something.  

If all are reasonable within the same timeframe (i.e a week or so) this is usually an indication the second was part of the purchase of the property.Obviously, you can ask the seller's but I generally find they do not know either which is why ask them to look at the closing documents so i know for sure.If the second is a non-purchase money loan like an HELOC for instance, then they will likely contend with the deficiency both as a foreclosure and short sale.