From what you've shared, it sounds like no business was conducted.

Paper trails and rational conduct make it easy for them. 

He is a highly sought-after speaker, appearing as the keynote speaker at numerous major industry conferences.

The Sheriff sale was conducted on 8/2015, so more than 5 month has past.

Sounds like you are well on your way and will be pulling the trigger soon, I think at this point you should have been able to conduct enough studies to determine the major challenges that exist as you define multi and single family.

You should be conducting yearly or even better twice a year inspections. 

TV shows, books, (conferences????!!!!!???)...

I have attended many conferences,  seminars, etc on the topic but have never gotten my hands dirty.

Hey BP - I'll be traveling to London this coming July and I am interested to attend a local REI meeting, conference, event, etc, while I'm there. 

I've had to deal with most of these issues concerning both my own multiple retirement accounts.Since subtle, nuances can make big differences in interpretation, I've only felt satisfied by getting my pension guys, my two CPA's and my bookkeeper on a conference call to get the straight skinny.