Are you saying the warehouse pre-paid their rent for 18 months and you agreed to let the Seller keep it all? 

Because water was provided by the municipality, the past due water bills were later transferred to my tax bill account with accompanying penalties as I didn't learn about it till months after they moved.

think of it as advance pre-marketing.  

It just depends on the situation. 

I have been connecting and trying to find out ways to gain funding or a loan for a 35k tax deed without clean title.

I'm specifically interested in learning how to land a pre-foreclosure deal, but I think I need a structured system for educating myself and have a teacher/mentor for support and to hold me accountable during the process.

Needless to say, the fee to join is pretty high (40-60k depending on the tier).

Depending on where our life goes in the next three years will decide if we need to move or use our home as a rental property thereafter. 

Also, depending on your experience (which it sounds like you have some, I'm not suggesting that you don't) a PM can be a valuable tool to learn REI and the city.

It might depend on if you are needing financing.