It's your job to help him understand how you arrived at your number. 

Plus with over $1 BILLION worth of construction on the books over the next 4 years and light rail arriving in 2025 the city is set explode if the economy stays healthy.

Yes we can petition to have our taxes lowered.

I secured one a week ago as another investor was arriving to look after I did.  

I have, by no means, "arrived" nor have I "made it" so please hear me out from a beginner's point of view.

The "bid amount" referenced is no doubt related to either a notice of proposed action or more likely, petition for order for sale, whereby the initial bid is the offer and the increased minimum bids required are documented.

Best wishes    I just ordered this course and am anxiously waiting for its arrival.  

How do you go about petitioning a judge to grant you an early title?

The house is a great rental opportunity, however, the real prize here is the side lot since land in this area is scarce and demand is high.The trick here is that the lot is an "L" shape and I will need to petition the city to subdivide and replatt. 

Be sure to spin the idea they will have additional income from selling this to you on contract and if you default, they can sell it again [careful with this, keep their motivation in mind].From your perspective, before you arrive do your homework:  How much is fair market and how much can you pay?