I’m ready to fly out there myself…and stand in front of her office until she cuts me a check…at this point with what she owes me it will be worth it. 

This is also where I have my music studio and office.

Do I go to the county's records office to find out? 

Unless you have a job offer in Arizona, how is the Loan Officer going to issue you an owner occupied mortgage out of state? 

I also thought there were tax advantages to having an LLC I.e home offices, trust for after death not having probate / death tax etc.

Just my opinion.Bethesda’s Clark Building Sells For $30M, 22% Of Its 2019 Price (bisnow.com)West Loop Landmark In Shadow Of Willis Tower Sells For Nearly 90% Discount (bisnow.com)Blackstone’s Defaulted NYC Office Loan for Sale at 50% Discount - Bloomberg

I'm going to assume these pre-foreclosure listings you're seeing on the MLS are properties that sellers chose to list for sale there (and that your MLS does not contain the full list of them in your county).The best source for finding foreclosures is going directly to your county court (either their website or their office).

I work with Mike Bell at Southpoint Risk -offices with Stan.

Mine are small commercial offices and Zillow didn't fit for my uses.

You also have to consider loan amounts typically need to be above $250K will carry a 3-5 year prepayment penalty.The biggest thing I see is loan officer are quick to offer a pre-approval for you but the fail to run the DSCR/Rents ratios up front.