I have a lot of skills I can use to help out with established investors and soak in the experience they've built over the years.

Also what is a good source of information to establish value with records of lots sold, and lots on the market?

Plan on at least 25% vacancy for the first year - the property has established a reputation for being a trash heap.

I am hoping there is some way to look up the property addreses in order to do preliminary analysis and get a property profile to establish if the property is something I'd wanna even make an offer on, BEFORE I contact the attorney or executor.

If you establish trust, the business part will come much easier.

Zach I know what you mean, we are working on establishing a steady flow as well on free and clear rental properties of  at least $5k per month by the time we are 50 or hopefully sooner, we are not interested in wealth but if it comes than it's welcomed ;) but honestly we want to be able to sleep in!

With the recent ruling by SCOTUS regarding gay marriage, I wonder what will happen in States (as Michigan) which have long established dower rights?

We do not plan to move from the condo without a lease agreement established, and we are going to do this for a year to see how it works out.

This January I bought an established profitable business for my wife and daughter to run.

The broker should be able to pre-qualify the borrower with regard to requirements such as minimum credit score and establish borrower income level.