Bidders need to factor obtaining possession post-sale as well as unknown condition into their numbers. 

Actually the tenants have 7 days to respond once they are served the Demand for Possession for Non Payment of Rent by the landlord. 

Almost every wall from 3' down covered in children's "artwork" or colorful liquid stains.

Map of the town on the fridge, with a personal list of the "Good" and the "Bad".Cable tv channel guide.Little sample bottles of cologne in the bathroom.Charcoal and lighter fluid if there is a charcoal grill.Propane for a gas grill.A rick of firewood for the fire ring outside.Tony Chachere's Louisianna Seasoning (I rent to a lot of Cajuns and Texans).Pictures, paintings, calendars or other forms of artwork with naked women.  99% of my renters are refinery contractors. 

I have a budget that is down to the dollar now and my personal budget vs conservative expected once I take possession on the 1st.

I have tried cash for keys before as well with other folks and I still had to go through the whole process to get possession of property.

There is slight chance you can pay off the lien and take possession of the property if there are no other liens and there is a clear title.

With state-owned property, no investor has ever taken possession of the property.

Does the lease bind the renters to the property with the owner being SOL or does the homeowner have the authority to take back possession of his home thus making the renters SOL? 

Well, first step is getting a pay off, which they are legally required to give you, as a successor in possession. even though they don’t make it easy.