Any advice would be greatly appreciated.426.530 Right of redemption -- Manner of redeeming -- Purchaser to receive writ of possession and deed. (1) If real property sold in pursuance of a judgment or order of a court, other than an execution, does not bring two-thirds (2/3) of its appraised value, the defendant and his or her representatives may redeem it within six (6) months from the day of sale, by paying the original purchase money and ten percent (10%) per annum interest thereon, and any reasonable costs incurred by the purchaser after the sale for maintenance or repair of the property, including but not limited to utility expenses, insurance, association fees, taxes, and the costs to conform the property to the minimum standards of local nuisance code provisions and other local ordinances as authorized in KRS 65.8801 to 65.8839. (2) The defendant shall pay the redemption money to the clerk of the court in which the judgment was rendered or the order of sale was made.

Both were about $1500 and took about 3 weeks (post 3-day) to get possession depending what day you start. 

Fortunately I possess both traits.

I would start by researching there. technically, any possessions would be transferred to the estate/next of kin. to be on the safe side, you can request the family sign something saying they are abandoning all property left behind, including security deposit. as always, make sure you comply with local laws. once it is considered abondonded property and you take possession, you should eb free to sell anything you want to recover your damages.

Tenants are allowed, however, to present a list within x days of moving in (I think it's 10) showing what they have found as it's unreasonable to assume they'll see every little thing wrong within minutes of taking possession. 

It may depend on whether it is vacant or occupied, whether you or and agent can get inside to verify the condition, whether you have legal possession or not etc. 

I'm not even sure a landlord can legally prevent a tenant from possessing legally owned weapons.

Nyala Eddings Look into "Adverse Possession".When someone other than the deed owner uses the property, pays taxes, etc., the law allows them to take legal possession of the property.Assuming the spouse paid the property tax through mortgage payment, she may simply be able to go to the county courthouse and record a deed conveyance.

Right now you are looking at having possession of the property somewhere around mid to late October.

I need advice on taking immediate possession of a section 8 unit.I closed on a property yesterday where there is a problem unit (putting it mildly).