I found the previous owner listed on the tax records and was able to contact him.

I've submitted a request for police records for that area.

Most counties have property records available online these days.

Hello Bigger Pockets Community, (Mark Pantak, Real Estate Investor Responds) I would like to set the record straight and I am going to respond to what I have just discovered and read here? 

I will keep in mind the age, and will verify the income and check his background/ eviction record.

The parcels have already been subdivided and recorded with county along with all applicable easements, etc.

You might as well send someone to a pre-recording, nobody likes to hear a sales pitch. 

Here's the general tactic:- Use a public records search service, sitx.com, agentpro247.com and search for 2 property types:- zero or a little equity, mail to these folks, buy the property for zero $$, take over paying the mortgage payments.

While my husband is very supportive, he jokes that he is not allowed to grow his record collection because I need to grow my house collection first.  

Thank you.I was thinking about option #3 & #4.unfortunately the architect seems to be charging a significant amount for any design changes, that's what lead to the failure to communicate in the beginning.Here's some numbers:Floor Plan Existing 1,085 SFFloor Plan Addition 1,183 SF2-Garage 441 SFDesign Cost Rough $10,000No scope of work define and No specifications.needless to say the Architect of record is no longer associated with this project.I think I will approach them with option #4 to scale the scope of work down, and incorporate option #3 to find way and cut cost.Thanks You very much.very Helpful.Cheers