., except for those in Buffalo, NY. 

Like my company commander said when I was in boot camp about the carpet, "Not only no, but hell no" , except he didn't say hell :D  .

Price 183k Each side will rent between $1,000-1,100 Plenty of room to add value and possibly raise rents, not to mention I will be living there paying nothing except maintenance and utilities! 

Are there any carve outs or exceptions where I can avoid paying taxes in those states? 

I have had nothing but problems for just about everything related to them (except basic registrar features).If you want the El Cheapo option, I would actually recommend Dreamhost.  

As for the liens - when you receive your Foreclosure Deed and file it at the courthouse ( do not mail it - trust me) - it wipes out all junior liens except: IRS, State of Georgia taxes and F.I.F.A liens.

It even gives an MLSLI number that does not come up anywhere except Redfin.

I have almost the exact same building except it's 15 units; I live in one of them and my 18 year old daughter lives in another.  

If everything is different except for the nominal prices, what gives you reason to reach the conclusion that the same thing will happen to the market again?

make sure that you have your pre approval and financing  all lined up in case a  property becomes  available .Regarding buying an investment property before buying a home -  decent idea  except that this might eat up  most of the capital you have to work with I like the idea of  possibly increasing your  budget a bit and looking for a multi family home that  you can both live in and rent ...in the area you describe these  will be  higher priced than condos  though ....I am located in the area you describe  wanting to buy so if you have any loan / mortgage  questions - feel free to  call or email all the best