You don't own it or have to worry about their mortgage unless you plan to exercise the option and buy the property.

if you haven't done your remodeling yet then I would suggest painting the cabinets would be the best option.

That is why I suggested he get with a cpa and work his specific circumstances. 

As you live in TX and as you are looking for MF contacts, I suggest visiting both Brad Sumrok (BS) and Lifestyles Unlimited Inc (LSI). 

@Jahleel FelixI would suggest listening to podcasts, read books, network, YouTube, etc. 

As an educational exercise, I went to the courthouse and had them pull files of others who had petitioned for a tax deed.

It sounds like he got burned on his first SFH and that made him stay away from them.My real estate agent suggested a refinance as well, which sounds like an ideal option. 

If it's not in your name, it's not your responsibility.Now, you two get married, then that's a completely different picture, depending on how your jurisdiction handles community property.In any event, I'd suggest you find a local lender and get pre-qualified.

He suggested I first try to buy the cheap lower income condos here on Maui bc they were going for 100k (everything else is pretty much 500k).

Consider being a $60k-$120k worker for Amazon there and then run through the "drive till you qualify" exercise.