Buying, I sometimes do two, one at contract and one a few days prior to close, agents dump bleach in for a good test.If you bump into a shared well or septic, make sure there is a well/septic agreement as to maintenance and upkeep that has been filed for record.

Anything additional that AirBNB brings in - consider it gravy, but do NOT rely on it as the default income source, particularly in your first year.Unless you have a  track record of successfully hitting vacation rental projections over the fence consistently - I would not recommend running your numbers assuming that you'll book out every single day in a month with the exception of 7 days vacancy.

I've used public records to find the name and mailing address of owners even when the property was bought/sold under an LLC.

  #2) check county records to see if she filed anything in the last 4 months.

If you are using a mailing software program it should have a method to mark "flag" certain records and a "find duplicate records" function.

I'm curious what your track record has been submitting a bunch of low ball offers on property to see if any stick?

BestBlanks.com has blanks for $1.50 each ~http://www.bestblanks.com/signsubstrates.htmlBut, if you buy at least 100, this site will pre-print (1 color 1 side) them for only $1.82 ~http://yardsigns101.com/18-x-24-coroplast/For the record, I don't like handwritten signs.  

One last thought, I realize the enormous risk of a flip, that is why i thought it might work to partner with a flipper, It would have to be someone with a proven track record.

If you have a proven track record you should be able to get cheaper money.  

County Records Service, San Diego CountyForeclosureS.com, everywhere