@Arnold Finkelstein, if you want to eventually end up with the real estate, contact the taxpayer by regular and certified mail, advise of the tax sale, demand they either vacate the property or redeem or surrender possession to you or sign a lease with you. 

Assuming a quick foreclosure and writ of possession within 6 months, would give total expenses and holding of say $5K.

CompE degree working full time in possession of cash looking to retire much earlier than the rest of America.

I found that odd, since if there were deals made not listed on the lease- it would be good to know about them before taking possession.

Buy it, wait out the redemption period (if it hasn't expired already as there's a chance there might already be a lien against the property for back taxes, seasoned and ready to be foreclosed), and take legal action to get possession of the property.Here in NJ, tax liens are superior to 1st (and junior) mortgages.

But I cant show it or get pictures in its current condition, plus do I have the right to access the property to show it, or get pictures, or are they still in possession of it, requiring advanced notice?

You can then make the bank an offer before the bank is even aware that they have taken possession of the property.

You offer the occupant a payment (typically no more than 1% of the value of the house but it's up to you and what the occupant will take) in exchange for him to voluntarily give up possession of the property.

.), so I just want to have $1M in my possession by then, cash or net worth. 

@Dennis Lanni What is the adverse possession options?