Just make sure you are getting something that can work and seriously assess where and what it is.

If I were to go this route I would clearly identify each of these risks individually, understand how the Govt would potentially challenge each of them and then assess in your particular fact pattern how you would effectively rebut a challenge to each. 

Other methods:Real estate agent: Ask a local real estate agent for help Title company: Contact a title company for a more comprehensive property search Online property search platforms: Use specialized websites that offer property owner lookups.

If you want to make a career of investing you get "one on one" training that is comprehensive, like at How I Made Millions Investing In Real Estatehttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/1146250-how-...that should be in the $15k to $20K range and guarantee you'll buy properties or your money back.Or, if you want to learn basics and "dabble"There is a "community" that runs about $8k to $10K that says they have online videos and other community members to answer your questions.

For a more comprehensive look at the Las Vegas investment market, please DM me for a link to our blog.

@Christopher MorrisTo assess a market, consider population growth, job market, economic growth, rent-to-price ratio, cost of living, school districts, and growth benchmarks.

My main advice for avoiding liability is: (1) work with a great insurance broker to get comprehensive coverage; (2) avoid signing full recourse personal guarantees whenever possible; (3) max out your 401(k) or defined benefit plan with ERISA protection; and (4) strive to reach a point where you’re not personally involved in the business’s day-to-day operations.Disclaimer: While I’m a licensed attorney, I’m not your attorney.

Assuming the insurance premiums don’t significantly impact my cash flow (which is one of my primary goals), how do you assess the risk of taking out a loan under my personal name versus opting for a commercial loan that requires a larger down payment and comes with a higher interest rate?

Without comps and a credible assessment of the condition, it could be a grand slam or  possibly 80k over what you should pay.

By sending a check, in many states, if the tenant cashes the check they are de facto agreeing with your damage assessment and will have little ground to dispute your accounting.