Have you communicated your buy box clearly and the areas you would like to invest? 

We have favorite title & escrow companies in each of the communities we buy in.

Don't believe me, go buy one and see how it goes.

If you buy a 2-4 unit and live in one unit, rental income can count toward qualifying. 

I am currently trying to figure out the best strategy for my goals which is to buy my first property.

If you find a good enough deal, someone may be willing to partner with you or buy the deal from you. 

I am wondering if there is a data service that addresses my needs as someone seeking to buy vacant lands at tax deed sales.

what you need to do is buy in better areas where the price points are higher and the returns are risk adjusted.. that means paper returns are less.. but you know investors they tend to not think about tenant risk and go for the highest returns on paper..

I was thinking of selling, then buying a property to build on, while investing else where, but Im just wanting to get opinions from what other people think of the situation and how it compares to the whole market entirely. 

I took a class from 'The Landlord Academy' now named 'Buy It, Rent It, Profit.