If the existing renters are month to month, are there any best practices to recommend when acquiring/closing on the deal?

I'm not in NYS, but in WA you can google the law and find what is required.Going off the top of my head here for WA:Deliver a copy personally to the tenant.If the tenant is absent, by leaving a copy with someone of suitable age and discretion at the rental unit AND mailing a copy.If neither of the above are possible, by posting a copy on a conspicuous place on the premises, handing a copy to any person living there, AND mailing a copy.There's also a form that goes along with notifying them.

Though, you'll have to check with the laws in your area to see how it's handled in AL.

Specifically regarding plumbing you could add (depending on your State or Local Laws) "... unless determined by repair person that such blockage occurred during the time Tenant controlled the Premises and due to some fault or negligence of Tenant, specifically excluding blockages caused by roots or backups from the street..."

That is predatory and not good business practice but some banks think they can get away with it especially with new investors.

Sometimes it is quicker.The folks at my probate court told me that it is the law that they have to be published somewhere to notify creditors that they have died.

And finally they want success in real estate investing skipping the necessary years of experience, capital accumulation and mastering  lessons regarding real estate principles, law, and finance, by paying a “mentor” (guru) for a 3 day workshop and continual “mentoring”.  

Knowledge of local markets, state tax laws and being a real estate investor are all important in your search for a CPA.

It might be interesting on how to tackle landlord/tenant laws.

Still close by but much more friendly tenant/landlord laws, property taxes are 4th lowest in the Nation, strong appreciation, job growth, population growth, etc.