Buying Blighted Properties in DC?

[Joseph Ayoub]

Hey, all - I am curious on how to purchase and repair a blighted property that is owned by the city of DC. I did a bit of research and came across Transforming Vacant and Blighted Properties from DCHD and the dashboard of properties that are available. 

From doing some quick reading, my questions are: 

- When are these properties available? Are they only available at auction or at set times? 

- How would I go about making an offer on a property from this dashboard that I am interested in? 

- Who would I need to work with from the city and who would I need to work with contractor wise to make a proposal? 

- What kind of restrictions/regulations should I be aware of if I repair a blighted property (does it have to be workforce/affordable housing, are there AMI requirements, can I be an owner-occupant etc) 

- How can I tour properties to determine scope of work?

Has anyone done this and if so, what has your experience been? Any help or points of contact (contractors or otherwise) would be greatly appreciated, since this is all new for me. Thanks!

[Russell Brazil]

They have an auction once a year or so. They post them on the MLS, usually 20 or 30 homea hit the MLS at once with like $100k opening bid price points. I dont know when it happens per se, but its pretty obvious when it happens.