Tax records can't be relied upon but is useful info anyway, but is there a trick anyone knows to seek out that lost owner for free, or at least the best deal on a skip tracer?

The whole process should need to be re-done giving you 21 days or so to act.  

@Adam Abdullah  Maybe you approach it differently... with a business plan. and you ask your dad to be your partner in a new business your creating and the business happens to be RE... instead of the thought of him just investing in RE like he invests in stocks.Also you might want to get your RE license so you can prove to him you have a modicum of education regarding real estate..

I do see list source used by many on BP.I almost want to say reifax.com offers more but since I am not a member I cannot play around with it. 

Try Angies List and become a member. I

There are other things you can do, like help them with the downpayment, etc. but you should definitely compensate that partner for taking the money risk that you cannot.As for another military member, I imagine that would be a good target.

Hey there @Kevin Beres.

Almost all markets across the US seem to be red-hot, so a home warranty probably isn't necessary.

If a family member is lending me money to go towards a downpayment on my next investment, do I need a lawyer to create the promissory note?

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