You must hold the property over one year from the deed transfer date to qualify for long-term capital gains treatment (lower tax rate).Even though you invested in the tax lien earlier, the IRS doesn’t consider your holding period to begin until you gain full ownership through a tax deed.

Or does eligibility hinge solely on the placed-in-service date?

Based on my limited experience, I would "archive" the property and start over with a new listing.

An Owner's Policy will probably have a clause that limits the amount of insurance to the value of the property as of the date the claim is made. 

Investment Info:

Single-family residence private money loan investment.

Purchase price: $890,000

Cash invested: $100,000

Q: What’s the best way to lend money on a single-family home?

A: Lending on a...

Investment Info:

Single-family residence private money loan investment.

Purchase price: $890,000

Cash invested: $100,000

Q: What’s the best way to lend money on a single-family home?

A: Lending on a...

Almost all seasoning clocks for all loan products are based on the date that the loan funds (usually the day of recording or the day prior). 

And you still need to qualify for an additional depreciation deductionFor most rentals, you only have a limited deduction.

I'm fine with an early start date.

To date, I've only dealt with lending on investment property, thus falling into the business loan category.