I know the crime rate is high (maybe very high) and those are not what can be considered a "good neighborhoods" but how is that should impact my decision?   

Soak up every bit of info on bigger pockets and I'll be a force to be reckoned with.

The goal for the borrower is to use the money quickly to minimize the impact of the high APR on the deal.

As a life time resident of Indiana, I'm sure that you could spot the local properties that are cheap for a reason vs those that are an excellent value, and make money (mostly through forced appreciation and cash flow I'd venture) investing in those that are an excellent value.

We started investing in rentals and learned land-lording in our early years of investing, and then we were posted overseas with the Air Force. 

While they don't have anything to do with the auction property, they impact the buyer because they have to be waived by the lien authority prior to having clear title).

This is going to take a lot of stress out of the process instead of having that 45 day clock ticking for you to locate you new property, and then be forced to buy something you may not want.

However, if you can force-appreciation into the property and increase the value... that's a whole lot less risky.  

If you have the ability to buy it owner occupied and live in it for a short time (Typically 1 year minimum) then you have loan options where the down is as low as 3.5% or 0% if you are a veteran of the armed forces.

Your agent should be forced to provide their time and knowledge, not just get a cut from any property you buy.