Simply view the preparatory time as part of your investment in your future. 95% of the indivulaes in your position fail because they view real estate investing as a way to go from zero to success....this is not realistic, you need cash and a solid income if you hope to increase your odds of success.

Simply replace the cheap carpet that was put in and move on. 

Win-win.More than likely, keeping the son as a tenant is not going to work out well. 

I am going to work under his brokerage which he has made incredibly flexible for me to do and his splits are great and his fees are low so it is a win-win he's going to teach me everything along the way.

The issue is it's going to add up because you're not going to win a lot of the auctions, especially if the reserve bids aren't announced in advance.For the taxes, obviously you go to the tax collector's website / call their office.

That way if he defaults you just simply evict and take the property back.  

I would simply say no.

If you simply use a random $/SF rehab budget you will miss one of these houses roof costs.The 2 story house I would expect to pay around $4200-4500.

It's simply not possible to have a notary we "know" in every jurisdiction.

At the end of the day work hard and burn the ships behind you so you can't turn back will win the day.