City of Atlanta- citations on old, abandoned boarded up property

[Ananda Rajeurs]

Hello. I am looking for some advice.  Many  properties in Pittsburg and other locations have citations on the properties from City of Atlanta.   The citations may be something as simple as clean up of the yard or those which have placards posted on the property deeming it unsafe and unsanitary to enter the premise.  In talking to the code enforcement section, I am told that the citations have to be resolved by either fixing/boarding/demolishing the buildings or eventually you can find yourself in the court at the mercy of a judge.  Since many properties have citations, how do you go about buying this properties knowing that there could a lot of unforeseen expenses down the road.  

I have found there are existing citations on the property which the seller has not resolved - how are they getting away with not resolving the citation over many years.

Can anyone shed some light on this issue and how to overcome the problems. Thanks.