It can be frustrating, which i know first hand. if you simply cannot win a bid then maybe look elsewhere or focus on properties that have been sitting for sale for a while that other people have taken their eye off of.

So, I simply do not want to be misled and then surprised when I can not get funding.  

Police entered the home because it was 3 hours from where my associate and I live. 

They simply didn't want the property anymore due to the extensive legal issues that came with it and their father's past.

--I am simply an inexperienced newbie (with one bad experience as an accidental landlord under my belt) looking for insight on deal analysis techniques from more experienced professionals.  

Being an NJ native and simply loving the state and the North Eastern parts proximity to NYC, I have started my search with a deal in northern NJ.

To me, it seems that you have decided you want to buy and hold it for appreciation and are simply looking for positive reinforcement.

As long as the tax lien Can be redeemed, the title company will simply pay it off (redeem) out of the sales proceeds, as is the bank’s obligation to do so. 

When these two cycles are running contra to each other it can be possible to exit real estate at a high and enter Oil working or royalty interests  on the upswing and ride that till the next real estate correction.  

This doesn't mean that buying cheap is bad, but often times, people go after certain markets simply because prices are lower and don't question WHY it's cheaper.