It is close to where I work (I'm going to owner occupy), has housing prices in my range and is in my opinion, a nicer part of town with a great school district.

At closing the previous owner transferred the security deposit and last months rent as stated in the contracts. 

Take photos of the issues.then you find the owners on the county assessor site, and send them a personal letter and pic of the property saying you drove past and noticed this house, that you were not sure if anyone was living there but you were interested in buying the property. while you are sending out these letters you should try and find any of the following:private money, hard money, flipping partners, landlords, cash buyers, etcyou can find these people on BP, or go to a title company and ask who has been buying in that area for cash over the last couple years, you could ask your family members, etc.Now when you get calls back from the homes you drove by, you already have the exit strategies. anyway, that was a condensed version of driving for dollars so if you have any questions about that, feel free to reach out to me or anyone else here on BPAdam Adams

Another question is just from personal experience from those who have bought tax deeds how often do the original owners exercise the right of redemption.

Just refer him to a HUD counselor for free and move on.These rent backs from the former owner the Feds have been going after investors and prosecuting for stuff like that.

Watched Marcus Lemonis on the profit and it seem you can invest in food trucks for  a cheap price and put the owner and some workers in there and take a cut of the profit as an investor.The traditional restaurants you have to drive very high sales per sq ft.

Then look in the county assessors website to find the owners. it should give their name and mailing address.

Come join a free tour of a High-Design, Mid-Peninsula Rehab Project owner by a local investor.

I bought my first multi-family in 2015 which I currently owner-occupy.  

Here is what it says:"Upon any failure of Resident to occupy the Premises for the full term of a fixed term tenancy, for any reason other than as provided in ORS 90.453(2), 90.472 or 90.475, Owner/Agent may charge Resident either:---A)all of the following: i) all rent, unpaid fees and other non-rent charges accrued prior to the date that Owner/Agent knew or reasonably should have known of the abandonment or relinquishment of the Premises; ii) all damages relating to the condition of the Premises; iii) an early termination fee in an amount not to exceed one and one-half month's stated rent and which is due on the earlier of the date Resident gives notice to vacate or the date the Premises is vacated; iv) interest on the above amounts at the statutory rate from the date each was due, and v) all other amounts due at the times specified in this Rental Agreement; or prospective buyers or B) all actual damages resulting from the early termination, including but not limited to: i) repayment of concessions; all rent through the earlier date the Premises is re-rented and the lease termination date; ii) advertising and administrative costs to re-rent the Premises; iii) concessions given to re-rent the Premises; iv) the difference in rent if a lower rental rate is received from a replacement resident during the remaining term of the original Rental Agreement; v) damages related to the condition of the Premises, and iv) interest on all amounts at the statutory rate.