Also, had a wholesaler tell me when I first started that he would buy a home and sell it to just make an additional 5-7k on it.

.-  Basement is unfinished but has some existing plumbing, garages, finished walls,  etc. and I conservatively estimate $30,000 to build out each of 2 additional  units

In addition, it could be that the seller has died.  

I'm looking to make connections in my local market in addition to learning as much as possible from the BP community.

Additionally, he was very clear he didn't deal with third parties and would not wire money to attorneys or closing agents and certainly not before receiving the fee.

You can't bet on that, so make sure the property flows a bit at the very least and focus on letting tenants pay down your mortgage for you.

I may have additional questions.

Your best bet is flips.Our agent is one of the best and only deals with investors.PM me if you'd like their contact info.

Until it is recorded the city is still going to show the old owner as of record.Part of the foreclosure process does require advertisement in the local paper a certain number of time before the actual sale.If the notice gave a court docket number you can look at the case at the land court in Boston and see who the attorney is and try to contact them about purchasing or purchasing when the actual sale is (without looking at the actual ad, this may be the first step before the foreclosure is scheduled in which case there will be additional notices)Not sure if there is a law library in New Bedford at the court but if so they might be able to provide some additional information regarding how a foreclosure works in MA.

I bet you wouldn't.And then you didn't specify LTV so we can only assume you want 100%.