If the tenant threatens to call the Health department,  see step 3.  3.

My background is in emergency services (including fire department) and I've done victims' services for a Fire Department for a number of years.

You need to call the building department for the municipality where the property is located and talk to them. 

I've been with the USG for more then 20 years serving in both  the USMC and with the State Department in the Foreign Service.  

How do you look up homes that become vacant here in Norfolk the city of Norfolk department of public health - Bureau of environmental health will put a notice of violation on your door if your home is unfit to live in or not kept up with so shouldn’t there be public records on this info?

So you would go to the city's sheriff department.

I would like to learn from someone with experience preferably in the lending department.

Offer needs to be submitted to Chase short sale department along with all of the seller’s financial/hardship documents, Chase will order appraisal or BPO to confirm that your offer is realistic, Chase will review seller’s situation to see if they qualify for any sort of assistance.

Perhaps talk to a commercial loan department as they tend to be more flexible. 

I have money saved for a down payment and once I start working I'll be good in the funds department.