These are home equity companies

Start with something that's turnkey with value-add potential.

Didn't wanna start building on it until I paid it off.

As it has been said, you need to go and drive the area and make an assessment for yourself to start with. 

Title company started title search and while waiting for results (we knew there were multiple liens that would be paid from proceeds at closing), I paid off property taxes so foreclosure was stopped after seller signed the warranty deed over to me in front of a notary.

I know here in PDX Multi is starting to tip over in some areas..  

If you have multiple properties in a specific state you really should have an attorney draft your lease agreements and start to understand the laws or get a property manager involved to advise on these situations.

For your first real estate deal, getting all owner financing is a nice relatively low risk way to get started.

We’re doing it at the UP Brewing Company in Negaunee right now.

Next time don't let them get "several" months behind, you need to start the process as soon as they are late.