What you are proposing/asking, may subject you to license/registration as a foreclosure consultant, which if you don't do, and/or you violate the rules, could subject you to civil penalties, if not worse. 

The are super simple self install items that you can put in your house when its vacant and when you rent the house you put the alarm components back in the box, put it back on your closet shelf, go onto your phone app and stop the monitoring service until the house is empty and your portable security system is back in place. 

My end goal is to work at a consulting  firm, while being a landlord on the side. 

You need to work with a 1031 exchange consultant and make sure everything is set up prior to closing on the deal.

Consult a lender or three about your eligibility including the what if scenario.Todd

I wanted to consult you guys before speaking with an attorney.  

After all nothing comes for free..... there are consultants out there that find you the best deal available but they cost money at closing on top of what the lender wants. 

Or just find a professional people to consult with.

Consulting a contractor to see if it’s possible to add a small hallway and alter the staircase, if not I could make it one big room and possibly squeeze in a bedroom on the main floor.

Hi Kenneth, While I do not have much experience in tax delinquent properties, I come from a banking background and as soon as my customers get behind on their loan payments, we begin monitoring their taxes too.