You operate a trade/business - then you have all deductions AND an obligation to issue 1099sB.

That ends up leaving a void that's filled by unprofessional, and in some cases outright criminal operations there in the PM space.

Many of these markets are very well represented by sellers & turnkey operators here on BiggerPockets.

I successfully operate a small portfolio (3 duplexes and three single families) out of state and a good  property manager is essential. 

Obviously, you pass this cost on to your borrower.My experience with Lightning Docs is that they will answer simple questions at no charge. 

I would be careful about sourcing these types of lists from other operators, it takes awhile to build relationships with various companies and most of the company contacts don't like their information being passed around

@Eric LoweIf you cannot find a local firm, reach out to these experts who operate national firms:  @Bernard Reisz, @Yonah Weiss, @Julio Gonzalez. 

But unless their businesses are structured very carefully they're no operating in the clear. 

Since you have bought a foreclosure before, at least you have experience with the liens and the process, but you won't get a final tally of the liens unless you can get your title company to run soft title search for these things in advance.Closing on a foreclosure anywhere in Brooklyn seems like a nightmare to me from an operational end.

But honestly, there are multiple (mostly all) operating illegally.