@Sergio SanchezWelcome to BP, and congratulations on making the decision to invest in your future via real estate.I have written a few blog posts that may help you get started here on BP, and with your investing.

I’m trying to get an ARV appraisal... looking for some kind of reference point before I dump money into rehab...

I’m thinking of going forward with a single-family house buy & hold strategy and do trade-ups for multi-units property in the future.

Whether or not that relationship continues on future deals, you learn a lot on that 1st one. 

I'm sure you can image how by the hour would work out for you in the long run.Check the references if you haven't used them before.

Just paying the taxes gives you no legal leg up on owning the property.....that is misinformation.....maybe they are referring to Adberse Possession which wouldn’t apply in this situation typically......state laws are specific.You are going to have to talk to a probate attorney in Your state.  

Good luck in all your future REI ventures.

Check your property tax basis on all investments there... some counties are not investor friendly, owner occupied gets a massive break unlike Polk/Dallas in Iowa.I've got some references back that way including contractors and realtors if you need a connect.

@Derrick LumsdenI'm sure that there are although I don't have any specific sites to refer you to.

I only want to approve cats that have a strong Landlord reference.