Went to a Tax Sale where the property burnt down a couple days before the sale, yet people bid on it not knowing the property was ashes. 

for example, you have the lehigh valley in PA just a couple hours away from you.i'll also say this. 

Yes they suck. ...alot lol.Nice south bay burbs are still highly desirable, low DOM, naturally appreciate and coupled with value add still present good returns.Ironically techies (from many different cultures) still want a 3/2 picket fence house.This strategy, however, comes at great personal discomfort.

I appreciate your first hand experience with them as there are so many scams out there.

I have a couple SFHs in the Syracuse burbs and would love to connect with anyone doing MTRs in the area.

I have known and worked with Matt for years.I have attended his training and hired him as a consultant.He is hands down the best at what he does.I have personally raised over $50 million for my hard money lending company.I am grateful for a lot of people who helping me with this success and Matt is at or near the top of that list.

Focusing on A-B areas and taking a hands-on approach definitely helps with maximizing cash flow and equity.

I arrive in Portugal a couple of days ago.

There is extensive damage to the house and I am working with my insurance company and have talked to couple of fire restoration companies.

Alternatively, your in-laws could partially gift the property by using the annual gift tax exclusion ($34K per couple annually), lowering the sale price and their taxable gain.