I'm going thru a spreadsheet of all crime from the city of Phoenix, to identify areas I don't want to invest in, and the areas with really high murders etc I'm going to stay out of, are there other criteria I should use as well?

It would scream bloody murder and call the police.

If this is a mystery to you, find someone with knowledge to do this process and pay them what they're worth.

"Oh judge, I didn't murder that guy. 

See it this way.SEO is not a magic mysterious gadget that no one knows how it works.If SEO doesn't work, there would be no internet right?

I think this is most beneficial for property management - doing it yourself takes the mystery out of it and makes it much easier to talk to a PM.

However, the lender (seller/private party) will not provide a payoff statement and said they do not want to accept payment because they "will get murdered in taxes and want the extra income".

Murderer appealed the courts for a new trial.

It's a mystery then what the title company was referring to. 

I enjoy the outdoors, interior design, reading mysteries, and making crafts.Doris