Again, I don't advocate people buying tax sales from multiple states, stick to the state that best fits your investment strategy and is easiest for you to work.

The big cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington are probably the easiest and pick non-HOA neighborhoods.   

First it you will be using it as a primary residence living one of the units you could do a Gift of Equity Purchase. 

Househacking a duplex or "having roommate tenants" are the easiest ways to get started.

As far as I know the gift limit is around 15k and there is no way he can rationally drive the sale price down due to “needed repairs”.

Living off rental income not good for SS so mine not great but certainly helpful and feels like a free gift.

Can someone educate me on the law concerning monetary gifts paid to a seller after a real estate transaction has already closed?

I have done a lot of projects with prefab and modular housing and the easiest thing I have seen is find a flat piece of land with electricity, power and water more or less stubbed to the property.

You may decide to carve out some cash to pay a bill or treat yourself or honor the gift. 

An HOA is usually made up of volunteers who own condos in the building themselves.The easiest way to understand HOA fees is that every HOA is a small business.