Even though REOs are usually sold as-is the seller will still consider credits if you find non-obvious problems. 

These guys never sold a residential property in their entire life but broker commercial deals above $10MM. 

(To let you know, for my project we ended up leaving the asbestos shingles in place, and I sold the property a few years later).

Hello, I just sold my first property that was my primary residence for 2 years.

How can I pursue a refund earlier if I have no other Hawaii income items to report?

In the entire metro area, only 219 sold in 2017.   

$3,000-5,000 should cover closing costs and prepaid items (taxes, insurance, escrows, inspections) at that sales price2) Is putting 5% down wise or unwise?

We did a 1031 exchange around the middle of 2017 where we sold one property in Phoenix and bought several in the midwest, everything closed in 2017.We did the exchange in a trust and want to move the property to an LLC we own.  

One other question, maybe a dumb one -- I've heard that it's risky to bid at an auction because you never know what other 'liens' are on a property that's sold at auction.

@Alex AllevaAlex - If you are currently living in the house and the total property taxes is $19,000 for the total 4-plex.The property taxes allocated to you as an itemized deduction should be $4,750.