If you want to play in that market, buy a property that has some life left, rent it out for a few years and then try to sell it for what you bought it for, before it needs a new roof, plumbing etc... 

As far as the deferred maintenance, we just performed a full inspection on all of the units and the property was in good condition.

I don't have much free money for myself anymore since I am in the bay area now, paying $2k a month for a room, and I'm upside-down on my car, paying $1300 for the Hellcat I bought 2.5 years ago.So I kind of feel like my life is ruined at 26, but I would really like to start over if I could.

My grandfather has been a stockbroker for most of his adult life and semi-retired to a part time broker in his home office, living mainly on his own stock portfolio at 37 years old (1964). 

Key is having the discipline to follow thru with the understanding that sometimes life can get in the way and our circumstances change. 3.)

I’m familiar with the previous owners and the condition of the home.

Get your financial life in order, educate yourself instead of wasting money on gurus, and then start building wealth the right way.

Be as picky as needed, given the conditions of your specific market.

@Sean PourYou are very sweet for caring about how people live their life.

At all the sales I have been when they read the conditions, it basically says the buyer is responsible to do a title search.Now what sometimes happen is that the HOA has a lien, but for some reason they do not record that lien, which therefore means they were not notified and their lien is not wiped out.In any event you should consult with an attorney familiar with PA Tax Sales.