I am currently a civil engineer, specializing in airport design on some of the busiest airports in the country.

Litigation.

If your tenants happen to be minorities....tell the neighbors if they continue to complain you will be reporting them to HUD or the DOJ for civil rights violations.

I know notes from the litigation side (how bad foreclosure lawyers can be), but still getting my arms around all the small details.

@Sean Bell call and make an appointment with a local civil engineer.. they will know most of this stuff off the top of their head.. then you have land planning companies..once you get an idea you contact local planning for a pre app.. then go from there.but don't waste the civil's time is you don't have the means to develop.. 

If the previous address is close, march into the court house and look up the criminal and civil filings under the applicant's name.

The more anonymity you have the more distance you create between you and a litigation.

cleanest way is to have your partner buy it in his company name... since its his money.. he has pof handled.then you simply write a service contract.. he does not pay you .. you can litigate to get paid.he can pay you advanced payments as draws or everyone gets paid off the final hud.. that's how I do it.

This is the civil code/legal rules."

While a violation by them would result in a possible civil penalty, you are acting as an agent without a license which could result in a criminal action