Finally, I got a hold of the auditor's office and this data is being stored in a 3480 cartridge (they're still in the 80s) and the only way I can get it is if a third party converts it or if I go into the office myself and copy everything down.

I have heard that some counties are starting up a "Land Bank" for areas that have been hit by a large amount of properties that are delinquent.I did some research and found this on the West Virginia Auditor Office selling Delinquent Land, am not sure if this is any help to You.

just checking that box on the Auditor's form prevents any costs other than the small filing fee.

Maybe starting out you can get comfortable with HRB, but when Jon puts it this way, I know who I would rather have going into the auditor's office...

My guess is (since I haven't researched the matter) that County Auditors in Ohio are probably not supposed to use a transfer price automatically as the property's assessed value, but there frequently seems to be an awefully suspicious coincidence between the assessed value and a recent sale of property....

All expenses incurred on the property prior to making it available to rent (as evidenced by an advertisement, not a nebulous contention that your were willing to rent it "as is", that's rather ridiculous, wouldn't want to sell that to an IRS auditor), are to be capitalized and depreciated.

welcome Tuinisha and Nicole: You can access data on line by address on many county websites . usually start at the county auditor. start by looking on zillow in your target area.

Before contacting the owner I would prepare myself for the call.Research the comps. in the area .If you have access to the county auditor web site you can find out how much the current owner paid, taxes, if there are past due taxes etc.Once you are armed with this information you would call the current owner to see if there is an interest in selling the property and if so how much does he think he would want for the property.I am sure there are wholesalers who will chime in here to guide you since at this point as a buy and hold investor I already know how much I would be willing to pay.

Be sure that the auditor is certified by the Building Performance Institute, or something similar. 

Since you are FSBO, you should counter the selling agent words - he/she just trying to make a deal.Do not increase your property value at the county auditor  - it will raise your taxes.Zillow is not a valid source of info: it's a marketing tool.