In tracing the court records and speaking with the Auctioneer, the specific property was auctioned July 2 but has not been ratified, I've got the previous title holder seeing if he can intervene (ie, if I can outbid the investor who now has the home listed... since sale hasn't been ratified but will be soon), but I think it's gone.

Few cup holders but a lot of fun."

So my questions are:a.) what questions do I need to be asking of the ownersb.) how do I go about getting solid info on the property, re: liens etc ( I do know about the authorization of release for the bank/mortgage holder).

That means your end buyer, it takes you 1 week to find them, would only have 2 weeks to put everything together and close.There are two types of buyers you will be wholesaling to...flippers and holders. 

My $10,000 stayed with the option-holder, but I was able to make it back multiple times in cash flow.

I’m a buy and hold-er and a flipper.  

Best of both worlds after I weighted out the options. 2100 a year for a 200k property is a great deal for an investor I will have to look at this more.. if that's what the tax rate is there.. then Charleston should move to the top of out of state buy and holders list.. that city has legs.. 

I'm a broker, buy and holder, buy flip/rental holder, RE coach.

As far as a downpayment in general, yes, the bank or holder doesn't want to loan on 100% of value (they take all the risk if you walk away and decide it's too tough, get bored, hit a little snag).

They made it clear that they wanted to be the primary lien holder (maybe I didnt explain well enough, also its in PA so no matter what, by law, taxes are primary lien on properties).