really depends on the state.. for instance OHIO is one of the safest the judge wont confirm the sale unless everything except irs is taken care of.. you just need to know if its a first or second.NV is another pretty easy one at least Vegas. where the sales are handle downtown there is a title company right there and they run title on everything that is going and offer a hand out to any bidders just ask for it..

4- of course we'd want to verify it's permitted use per zoning5- Capex will need to be budgeted for a reserve account for tax purposes6- need to get the stage 1 and 2. 7- by subcontractor issues do you mean a mechanics lean on the property?

Not to mention reserves. 

I'm sure he did really well with the property - enough so that he could complain about the cost, yet pay it and stay in business- but, I wouldn't buy one unless you had serious reserves, just in case. 

By the 3 more years to qualify it means you are in the guard/reserves. 

Make sure to factor in 5-10% vacancy, taxes, insurance, mortgage, repairs & maintenance, lawn care, pest control, management fees, utility costs (goes in your name when vacant), turnover costs, and capex reserves. 

I can't comment on the Houston market, but I do a lot of investing in Detroit.While I haven't personally gone and confirmed it, folks are citing the same thing happening there.

For the next 6-8 months, we will be meeting with the city to confirm the building plans and permitting.I assume the Single-Family new construction you are referring to is land that has already been subdivided and is already zoned to allow for SFH.

@Diana JingHere is a list of lenders offering non-recourse loans to retirement accounts:https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/50272-list-of-non-recourse-lenders-for-self-directged-ira-and-401kTypically non-recourse loans require 30%+ down plus 10%+ reserves because the risk is higher for the lender. 

You only got charged when you clicked through all 3 pages to confirm the purchase, skipping over the coupon code section.