@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.

A few other questions I would like answered is the number bed and bathrooms and th egeneral condition of the property. 

Also I don't think this property will qualify for anything but private loans given a physical condition.