Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
Rent-to-own is an intriguing concept. It might work for a house through a realtor (most of which are in the $50-$70K range), but im not sure if we could do that with the $30K house, considering it's being sold by-owner. But I really don't know. How do those usually work?
We will definitely be using the congregation to get some information once all the paperwork is signed and the job has been announced, but like with the realtor, it's a tricky situation figuring out what advice is for which party's benefit. I'm guessing the people at the church will tell us how great things are and that the market there is fine, because if we buy, then our placement there will feel more permanent to them--they've had several rectors in the past 5 years, and they want someone to stick around for a while. They are very sweet and nice people, but that doesn't mean they'll be frank :) That being said--we are in contact with a member of the search committee who has just moved away for a different job about renting his house (we've posed the question, but haven't heard back yet).
As for property tax, this is what I found (and don't understand at all): "The tax is calculated based on 20 percent of the fair market value of real estate, property based on the millage rate of the school district." (The millage rate is 51.2)
A couple for sale listings have had property taxes included, and I haven't seen any that are over $500/yr. Though some mentioned a "homestead property tax credit" of $350.
And yes yes yes, we want to be super careful, because the last thing we want is a life-suck, especially as I'm growing my business and getting preggo. We've already decided that anything with major structural issues is out, but we're willing to deal with cosmetic stuff (most of these houses were built in the 50s and need updates desperately). We will run away from anything that looks questionable/meth-ish for sure. This is something that we would def. consult the congregation about--most of them live in the neighborhood we're looking in.
And how much work does the $30K house need? No idea, I'm waiting on pictures. If it looks promising enough, I'll ask around for inspector recommendations and take a trip out to see it + other houses on the market.
Here's a little more information about the town...
My own (from-afar, internet) research supports what the two realtors in town have told me: there isn't much in the way of rentals getting listed anywhere. Searching for rentals on the internet typically brings up a "no results." According to the one realtor, this is because rentals in demand and are being done by-owner and not listed anywhere but maybe craigslist. She claims rentals are high because folks around there use small businesses that don't report to credit bureaus to buy things like furniture and cars, so then they end up with a shitty credit score and can't get a mortgage (I have no idea if that's bs or not).
As for the town, it's in Arkansas--Mississippi river delta. Rice, soy, cotton, a prison, a 2-year college, duck hunting, not much else. The area has been economically depressed for a long time, but things in this town specifically don't seem to be as bad as some other parts--they have had increases in jobs and decreases in unemployment in the last several years. Plus, they're getting a Wal-Mart Supercenter! Oh boy! They have a top rated elementary school (and are very proud of it), but the high school is more on the average side. There are efforts going in to revitalizing downtown, but right now it's looking pretty sad--one block of open storefronts, one block of closed ones, and churches. The $30K house is within a 5 minute walk to the high school and a 15 minute walk to the church (which is downtown--built in 1875 and beautiful).