What's unbelievable to me is that personal finance is not required in college, kids get through medical school and law school or engineering without having a finance course!

So I'm about to close on a 3-unit investment property tomorrow morning and I go check the place out tonight with my realtor for a final walk-through.Good thing we did that.The seller has basically emptied the basement into the backyard and is now waiting for the city's Bulk Trash Removal service to come pick everything up.

Maybe after you've mailed out the to the absentee list, you could do a separate campaign to the code violators with a postcard like "I saw via the public records your property had a code violation and you received a fine.

As for the areas I am looking into, I have several in mind because I have lived in these locations but I really need to do more research before I come up with a final decision.       

You end up with floors that are half coming up, and a ceiling fan that looks like it's part of a Final Destination movie.

You may have to remove it or pay a fine and permit fee's.

I would pick through the copy of your previous offer with a fine tooth comb and if you aren't sure, call the old agent (or their broker) and ask.  

Some are wholesalers that would help you get them to a final buyer, some would just purchase it themselves.

Contact your local agency that issued the permit, call them for a final inspection. 

You may not get appraised value as a final figure, but any negotiated drop in price is worth putting a pencil to.