If this was an issue for the Federal Government line #503 would not be on the HUD1

An unrecorded "lien" is not a lien regardless of what someone in the government tells you.I suggested a few posts ago that the bill (not lien) in question may have been so old that is was off the radar of everyone involved with this property for years. 

Real estate will always beat stocks bonds because the government set it up that way.   1031, 2 out of 5 primary, writeoffs, sweat equity, ADU value add, STR,  MTR, etc.  

The government pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord, while the tenant pays the remaining amount based on their income.Get your property approved: Before you can rent to a Section 8 tenant, your property must meet certain housing quality standards (HQS) set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Why would you think the government would be any different.

You can check on this with the governing fire department for the property. 

Government report statistics - population growth, crime rates, ethnicity mix2.

There are even grants the government gives to improve/rebuild these homes.

I am in the process of exploring financing options for my first deal and I came across the idea of government down payment assistance grants.From what I read, these grants can be used to cover the down payment on a low money down loan such as FHA loan, which I was planning to utilize anyway since I will be an owner-occupant.Has anyone used this in the past?

I want to make sure I'm acting in accordance with the local government's legislation, but I'm having trouble making sense of all of the information I'm finding on https://www.roanokeva.gov/.How do investors usually navigate legislation requirements when starting renting in a new city?