My question is; what is the best way to put the property in our name? 

Older homes that aren’t elevated could suffer major damage when the next storm hits.Many expect market saturation in the coming months, as flippers are snapping up flood-damaged properties.

If so, you can add the value to your property more effectively.

Hasn't been an issue for any property I've purchased."

The only two ways to rectify this are (1) purchase the property far below market price or (2) significantly increase the property net income usually through some method of “repositioning”. 

If I got a home equity loan for Property 1 and used the proceeds as downpayment for Property 2 and then got a 2nd loan for the remaining 75% purchase price for Property 2, when I sell Property 2, can I use the Property 1 loan as part of the cost basis for computing Property 2 capital gains?

Personally if you are looking to grow in real estate going the traditional method/way of getting good properties under agreement with traditional financing will get you to where you want to go faster than trying to find all the needles in a haystack.

Hey everyone, I’m trying to decide between purchasing a single-family home or a multi-family property for my first real estate investment in Detroit, and I’d love to get some advice. 

If you’re using a car for business, log your mileage or depreciate the car; whichever method is favorable to you.

So, just give it your best self-help effort to find them, and then let the GAL do his or her job.As far as an ejectment lawsuit, the real question is, was the property legally abandoned?