I have laid out a rough draft plan that should allow me to acquire 35 rentals ranging from purchase prices between 65k-100k by the time I turn 31 years old with rental rates ranging from $850 up to $1300 a month (putting at least 20% down on each home with a conventional loan, depending on the condition trying to get a conventional rehab, and using the positive cash flow to pay down mortgages/use towards down payments on more rentals) I have read multiple books from millionaire investors such as Manny Khoshbin, Donald Trump, and the like.

I would then like to have the gc get the rest of the house in reasonable mechanical condition so that I can move in and take care of the cosmetics and maybe sub out some of the heavier kitchen and bath work.

@Mark Gallagher - If time is of the essence and you don't have time to do a full title search prior to bidding, and auction terms say a SWD will be conveyed, do you feel comfortable bidding on the property (knowing that is it is vacant and in decent condition, walk through done, minimal work needed)? 

Explain to him that you do not want him to live in any sort of hazardous conditions so you need to check it out.

I am not sure what area the properties you referenced are in or what the real estate market is like there, but if the homes were decent or had potential, where I am from (Central TX) the amount would have been bid up significantly from there due to the competition and real estate market conditions. 

Name field and hit "Find".One of the first things I see in red is -  ›› PIVS found Property Conditions on this property.

I used this guy 8 years ago and he was 1/2 the price of ASi:  www.cariniair.com/ Carini Heating and Air Conditioning is a San Diego HVAC offering heater and air conditioner repair, replacement & installation.

This deal is not going to be accomplished safely as most approach an option to purchase, your agreement could well be 100 pages or more, addressing terms of sale, how liens for advances are applied toward the purchase, your interests acquired prior to other liens filed, insurance assignments, that's not counting lease assignments, attachments of lease terms and conditions, maintenance agreements and schedules, authorization to encumber the property and to pay liens.

If the condition worsens, you're duplex may even be declared "condemned."

Buy it in its current condition and if and when tenant vacates, we have a rainy day fund to make those repairs without it coming out of our deferred maintenance reserves.