Kill your debts and start fresh.

Find a seller with a fresh wound and it's likely they will be highly motivated.

I've checked my breath - fresh and clean, as is the home.

If I took the duplex up to the prevailing new/fancy standard for rehabs in town (black appliances, new cabinets, fresh pergo floors, etc) I think they could each rent for $720-$800/month.

When the demolition is complete those items are uncovered.

Is there a way to uncover all of the transactions and how they where purchased throughout the county?

I think you should look at as many as possible to uncover the best deal.

I am a fresh rookie to the real estate business with only one completed rent-to-own contract under my belt.

Try selling that to a new tenant coming in with a fresh pair of eyes and they will notice all kinds of things.This is why I love it when I see a flyer from a brokerage saying ( great opportunity to raise rents and are 50 bucks per unit below market ).

YOu can also deal with the rental fix and flipper who then owns their own management company.. or one's that work with one closely... there are many ways to acquire rental properties... when you buy pre rehab that can get dicy no matter the company because there are many things that need to take place prior to your earning any income. this is why the public and the Marketers of turn key generally want tenant in place on a fresh rehab property  it gives investor cash flow from time of  closing..