Let experienced RE investors deal with this risk

High interest rates and dwindling capital reserves have led smaller investors, who have long driven the market, to pull back.Shift in Investor BehaviorFor years, individual investors fueled price growth through small-dollar deals, but rising interest rates have made them less aggressive.

IRS liens, municipal liens, utility liens also transfer to the high bidder.I'd contact the owner and see if a pre-auction deal can be struck, which would eliminate the auction competition. 

Was the deal so good you could not pass it up...?

BP has various tools to help you analyze your deals (rentals, flips, wholesale, etc). : https://www.biggerpockets.com/investment-calculators7.

I would listen to a ton of podcasts, read books, and get started by find an investor agent who can connect you with a good lender that can fund your deal. 

Hard money is easier to get, but the deal has to be a home run.

Full-service property managers" or Turnkey providers aren't really a thing in Columbus because if you want a deal that makes sense you need to source it yourself off-market to add value and provide it to clients.

View report*This link comes directly from our calculators, based on information input by the member who posted.

Its great to hear you're going the direct to seller route, its by far the method with the highest margins.