One tip: focus on areas with year-round demand and check local regulations early—they can make or break a deal. 

I'm not an attorney or expert in AP specifically, but do have a working knowledge of it for Civil engineering/survey work and have had two projects where this came up and I was able to 'ride along' and see how it unfolded.First, if you 'know' the property has been taken by AP then there's nothing for you to do with the tax assessor etc.

Going back to a W2 is not what I want to do, at least not in my old industry. 

Sometimes I have even directed troubled tenants towards assistance programs (such as single moms because there are a lot of programs for them specifically in my area especially).

Those effected go well beyond the property owners, the economic contribution of RE and subsequent economic loss in the form of: management, maintenance, landscaping, caretaking, hospitality, tourism, contracting, designing, pools and gardening is economically catastrophic and will reverberate well beyond specific zip codes.

Let me know if you need help with specific tools or anything else.

Do you have specific numbers to share with the forum, particularly with respect to your in-laws house?

Market Insights: Are there specific neighborhoods or property types in Philadelphia that I should target as a beginner?

You need a local/state specific lease.2.

Specifically STR build to rent.