remember: if the net amount that goes to your mortgage after you collect rent is equal to or less than what you'd pay renting - you're ahead. 

Don't try to be smarter than the city and not pay the license fee else you won't even get through the court doors.

Your landlord isn't going to pay any after hours, or weekend repair rates, and so you are most likely going to have to pay for those out of your own pocket, even though it's technically not your responsibility. 

Based off previous property taxes payed by the family member, we estimate the property to be worth roughly 100k once livable.

Whether is taking his "course", paying for the self written articles about his success or aka writing "puff pieces", buying fake Instagram followers, sitting on FB marketplace trying to get someone to pay for a house they don't know is condemnable and pay to have DJ remodel it and DJ never completing the remodel,  him spending an enormous time defending himself in small claims court, and threatening charges on  people that don't know law so they pay what he wants.All of those examples came from either my observation, experience, or other peoples reviews of him.The guy rented me a condemnable property.

You can search for members and see the agents (alongside everyone else) in Seattle but the only way to show up on a list of agents is to pay Bigger Pockets for advertising (currently $2,000 / 25 leads here in Seattle). 

Getting $450k from a home sale and willing to pay entire year rent upfront.

When we finally move to SD permanently  I plan to refinance, pay it down and reduce the loan.Does this seem like a reasonable plan or should I allow the 3% rate to lock me into that rental even though I want to use that equity to buy in SD rather than wait several more years, till I save up more for a down payment to buy in SD?

After you win a bid you have to pay for the property with certified check till 1 PM next day plus 119$ court fee.

If they pay their bills that is your only concern.