I'm very passionate about real estate and what I do, and what I do, importantly, makes sense financially (I'm a great credit risk!)

I prefer tax or county foreclosures because it’s usually the senior most lien except federal liens.Obviously foreclosures carry higher risks, therefore may offer higher returns.

I work full time at a non-profit for at-risk inner city teens.

If I can minimize the risk, I might jump on it.

Just make sure you have a solid and proven strategy, use as much leverage as possible and calculate the risk before you invest. 

I do like your buy & hold strategy, but unless you really enjoy driving to tenants to collect rent every week, you should consider requiring your tenants to sign up for automatic withdrawal from a checking or savings account.Collecting rents in cash creates the opportunity for payment disputes, not to mention being a security risk and a huge inconvenience for you.If you're goal is to build a serious portfolio of properties, you'll need to resolve the rent payment issue sooner or later.

You would just need to ask yourself if risk fits your situation. 

And that's the risk in Auckland.

Unless you have 200 of them why risk someone else screwing up your business.

And inevitably, the minute you get into lower-end properties, the higher the risks become.