My parents can bid on the house themselves, but that requires coming up with $500K in cash, which (the attorney indicated), added to their court judgment for $200K, would give them the buying power to bid up to $700K.Questions:On #1: What do we go about researching the likelihood, based on historical trends, that the house would auction for less than 700K, or 70% of market value? 

I put in $12k in repairs but feel like that might be a bit low considering the listing says it needs "some repairs" which (at this stage in my education) seems to be a big indicator that it's more than just light touch ups.

Is there a cap rate that is too low for you to consider i.e nothing below a 4?

Over the long 20+ year pull with dividends reinvested an SP 500 index fund will return ABOUT 10% so when I see things at least in the low teens I usually start nodding my head.  

We were able to get a loan through a local credit union that was able to keep the rate low (though it was an ARM).

Some people may disagree, but I would much rather give the guest $10 off their cleaning fee than have a low review. 

Your insurance number also seems very low and I would check that with several agents.The maintenance sounds very low.

in my area i'm looking at a cheap foreclosed lot with a burned out house needing removal. coincidentally I just saw an ad for low (ish) priced custom houses, available for 0 down if you have land.the way I see it, it's just finding numbers that work (thank you Bigger Pockets) can I get the land cheap?

With our budget and saving plan established I began investing in low cost index funds.

Thing is all that these con-artists face is white collar prison when caught, for maybe a few years, so they get to keep all the $ they hide and spend a few years in a low rate federal hotel, whoop-dii-dooo.