(It is due to a tree that the city grew and will need to be cut down immediately to remediate the problem). (12k for the replacement of pipes and ~5 kfor tree) 

Current goal is to buy a rental property in the Ocean City, MD area.

If you are considering to invest in other cities for long term rentals, I personally suggest looking into the Columbus OH market.

My relator said we shouldn't go forward because if the city find out we turned it into a duplex the county can take some type of action on us "not sure what that means" "Also i feel like my relator has a legal obligation to tell me not to go through with this because if he said do it anyway i could possible seek legal action on him (ps I wouldn't)"..

I pulled the recorded liens against the properties, most of which relate to 1) City of San Antonio fines for mowing and demolition, and 2) Vendor's Liens.Two questions for the BP Community:  1) Are the City fines extinguished at tax sale? 

In my case in the city of Austin. 

So, the real answer to your question will vary from city to city.

It is a safe city?

I would for sure checkout the zip codes 45439 and 45409 based on my preliminary look if you want to be in the heart of the city but don't discount the suburbs especially if you are looking to invest in SFH. 

If you are thinking of doing it in Los Angeles, it is likely a pass.The City of Los Angeles has put in strict rules on what kind of properties can be used for STR and for how many days.