If you take a drive through neighborhoods like that, you will see DOZENS of "we buy houses for cash" signs...they are everywhere!!! 

Who are you finding "destressed homeowners" I'm currently stationed in Hawaii so I can't drive around the ares I would like to buy in.

At the time I thought it was in an area which was shabby but would turn around quickly.Unfortunately I only saw the listing when I was about to leave so I could only do a drive by on the way to the airport. 

Some houses don't have drives. 

The high end building will have high end rents, which will drive your rents up.If it smells and looks right I wouldn't question yourself. 

If their drive to sell it is they need money for a certain reason, then there is more bargaining power. 

Most parts of eastern PA are about a 2 to 3 hour drive from me, but the prices and property taxes are much, much lower.The two main areas I've been looking at are Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and then further south in Allentown/Bethlehem.The Wilkes-Barre area seems to have lower overall prices on duplexes and triplexes, which some going for $30k-$40k and needing only some minimal cosmetic work.  

There are ways you can do it by posting signs (check your local rules about this) and driving for dollars that don't involve a lot of money.

The lender has fees for everything, including having someone drive by the property to see if it's still there.Call the foreclosing trustee and get an itemization.

I think what you are feeling is very normal, so take a deep breath and relax.Did you pay cash for the property?