Thanks for any advice you can provide to this newbie. 

Any locations that may fit my budget and provide a decent return?

This 2nd auction provides an opportunity for the property to be sold for "market value" so that the owner does not lose their property for less than the market value.

Always happy to provide guidance to a fellow investor!

I'd like to make tenants responsible for lawn/yard maintenance and provide a self propelled push mower.

I'll start setting those chats up to hear what valuable information they can provide

300 or 400 would be ok for a smaller house.You can provide You Tube TV for cable and local channels so you don't look too cheap.

Also looking into the possibility of providing private lending.

I offer a two year lease option. 3 years is too long in my opinion but if you are simply looking for cash flow, 3 years is fine.Since they are providing 10% down, I don't have them put down a security deposit.

He has already submitted an application through Zillow, and we have the contact number of his current home manager.Please let me know if it's still a good idea to ask the potential tenant for a recommendation letter from their current landlord, or if calling the manager would suffice.By the way, what should we do if the tenant has simply provided a friend’s number, and the friend pretends to be the landlord or property manager, or if he just make fake letter?