I'm an engineer in the medical device field.  

A 1099 is merely a requirement from the IRS and is a device to track those tax losses back to the taxpayer.

You can look at many succesful authors who have used devices like this.

One in particular was started immediately following the now 4-month-old FHLMC bulletin on which I had posted some of my fears, not dissimilar from Eric's. here's the link: http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/103/topics/48932-freddie-fraud-?

In my day job I am a software quality analyst for a biomedical device company where I work in the role of "Scrum Master" for one of our development teams.

A closing device shall be installed on all screen doors.So if you have central AC and your renting a property out and local codes read as above a landlord does not need legally to provide screens.

@Haider ZamanProperty Manager Job Purpose: Maintains property rentals by advertising and filling vacancies; negotiating and enforcing leases; maintaining and securing premises.Property Manager Job Duties:Establishes rental rate by surveying local rental rates; calculating overhead costs, depreciation, taxes, and profit goals.Attracts tenants by advertising vacancies; obtaining referrals from current tenants; explaining advantages of location and services; showing units.Contracts with tenants by negotiating leases; collecting security deposit.Accomplishes financial objectives by collecting rents; paying bills; forecasting requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective action.Maintains property by investigating and resolving tenant complaints; enforcing rules of occupancy; inspecting vacant units and completing repairs; planning renovations; contracting with landscaping and snow removal servicesMaintains building systems by contracting for maintenance services; supervising repairs.Secures property by contracting with security patrol service; installing and maintaining security devices; establishing and enforcing precautionary policies and procedures; responding to emergencies.Enforces occupancy policies and procedures by confronting violators.Prepares reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data and trends.Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.Accomplishes organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

These aren’t pets, they are medical devices. 

However, as much of the computer market has migrated to mobile devices, and the rest has migrated to India, I've found myself laid off, and looking forward to a change of career (I start college again in a couple months).

The city was likely owed MORE by the previous owner than its market value (even if they owned it free and clear otherwise).So, not too dissimilar to Bank Owned properties (REOs).