This could avoid vacancies and the cost of placing new tenants. 

So, if I buy the tax lien, then the bankruptcy trustee will have to redeem it through me or will the tax sale be a void? 

For your first property avoid trouble at all cost.

What areas should I avoid investing in?

Can anyone tell me areas/zip codes to look at and which ones to avoid? 

I would love to hear what others think about my plan and what I should avoid and/or add into my plan.

(I am trying to make sure I am not getting scammed, that's why I ask, if not, what is the best way to go about this and avoid paying so much in desk fees/startup fees?

Finding a mentor and bringing value to them will allow you to avoid mistakes that they made increasing your growth later on! 

Over-budgeting is always something to avoid, but I tend to err on the conservative side. 

Any feedback would be helpful, I really would like to hear some of your experiences with the area, finding tenants, you like or that should finding properties, evictions, things you love about the area, things you maybe don't love about the area, neighborhoods be avoided, really anything.