Also planning to start systematically checking out auctions in other counties casting a wider and wider net as I can.I have found at least 4-5 counties which use language similar (or identical as that looks to be pulled straight from the state statutes) to that but then say explicitly that they will be issuing a quitclaim deed to the auction winner upon receipt of payment. 

Agents are forced to lie, cheat, steal and claw their way to get listings and close transactions, just to survive at the firm.

The long term strategy (5-10 years) will be to tear down this home and build an identical structure to our existing 8-plex, making a 16 unit complex.

At this point I feel as if there has been identity theft, and clearly several other issues.I made a lot of mistakes throughout this experience and I am aware.

How do you know someone is trying to steal your deal.

But the comps he gave me have a very large range (about 40k) for basically identical properties.

To them, our low prices seem like an absolute steal.

You can't really have the best of both worlds (Have a buyer's market where you can steal a property off the MLS for next to nothing, and then expect it to greatly appreciate in value). 

Median home price in Sacramento is around $350-375k so it's an absolute steal for anyone coming from the Bay Area.

Or did you get a steal when you bought it at $971K?