It seems pretty clear that the woman who approached you should know she lost the property in tax sale since it happened before. 

When I google it I don't seem to come up with much and a lot of people, even my tax person, don't know much about self directed IRAs.

I hope you can see how we finally have more active listings even though if you are a buyer it doesn't seem like it for April. 

Always been rare we foreclose as most file but lately it seems like they are really waiting till the last second

The HELOC/DSCR combo seems like it could be a viable short-term option assuming it could be rolled into a conventional. 

Conversely, you will run into people on your list that just seem to be a waste of time, so you’ll want to avoid them.

I trust my realtor, he seems very honest, so I am plaining to visit after furnishing ( we will hire someone to furnish my place) before picture taken and make sure furnishing is well done and be there for picture taken and do last work ( organizing or cleaning...) 

What ever I have been reading on this it seems Landlord is always responsible :( which is sad as landlord is not living in the house and has no control how a tenant keeps the house. 

A property came up that's in a good area, my back yard (Rochester NY), seemed cheap compared to the neighborhood, and wanted some practice.

On the other hand, if you're only banking on appreciation, then this seems like it would negatively cash flow even if you moved out unless you can favorably refinance.