Try and undertake fairly simple projects for your first couple even if the returns are not as impressive as you hope (still make sure there is sufficient profit).

As a fairly-newish-to-the-game investor around your age, I appreciate the candor.  

However, as I said an investor could strike an honest deal anticipating that the property will sell for more than the taxes owed and be willing to gamble on that.

So this is actually fairly straightforward... 99% of houses don't make good rental properties - your original primary will not make a good rental. $2900 (mortgage payment) - $2500 (projected rent) = -$400 (monthly cashflow).

In other words, the cap rate becomes fairly meaningless upon transfer.Your job is to assess whether or not you can make a good profit after buying the asset at whatever the sale price is. 

I decided to purchase property in Pennsylvania where properties are more affordable in certain parts, demand is relatively good (less vacancy), healthy cash flow, and tenant laws are more favorable to the owner side in case your tenant stops paying their fair share. 

Same issue with a Registered Agent.Either method are fairly inexpensive and very easy to do yourself.  

It is a fairly automated process for them

are you already fairly diversified? 

It does everything, but there are a fair amount of glitches.