I'm a new investor looking to invest out-of-state and have heard its recommended to physically visit the area you are interested in. 

Have a notebook exclusively for this -digital or physical-, and carry it everywhere.

well CA is not a tax lien state its a tax deed state.. so when you bid you own it.opening bid is just that.. you bid from there.. it will be rare to the extreme that a 600k property goes to sale at 25k.. and if it does it will get bid way up.bidding is simply what your willing to payyou can door knock send letters etc.. this is quite common.all liens are wiped out except IRS and those sunset 120 days no need to get super concerned with that stuffMost common is you buy a worthless property that has been let go to sale becasue its un buildable or other defects of a physical nature.

We are physically removing him tomorrow.  

I have never physically been to the property. 

@Doug Phillips whatever you decide to do this month make sure they know it’s not going to be an option going forward, especially if your physically picking up at their door.

@Caleb Heimsoth I'm a physical therapist and so is my wife!

Based off your numbers, personally will not pay 90k, I would put my offer somewhere around 65-70k max.But to your question, everyone will tell you over and over again that you need to physically go to the area you want to invest in order to get the most accurate assessment of that area.

Either way the seller can seek confirmation by physically visiting the location or simply calling the entity. 

He then immediately bought another foreclosure we grabbed & we hold the note.Good luck it's a great exercise in patience & wisdom...