These are the areas I look at.A title search generally includes mapping a chain of title by examining all the recorded deeds concerning the property.

In fact, I can probably credit him more than anyone for the fact that I started to examine my life from a career/financial standpoint and decided to make a big change a few years back.

@Dennis M. geez beat down on the newb ( XD I kid ) not rationalizing just examining all the angles I can to learn how to make a good deal and when there isn't one to be made; and yes it does suck, that's the area I seem to be in, so expanding my search.

Hi Anna,  I just passed the exam in April and used OnlineEd.

Which is why I would encourage you to continue to examine your market.  

My real estate agent can corroborate that for those so lacking in life or business that they wish to examine every minute detail here...have at it!  

I am looking at 203K loans as an option but wondering if there are other options I should examine that make this a better deal.

To ensure that the title is valid, the title company will do a title search, which is a thorough examination of property records to make sure that the person or company claiming to own the property does, in fact, legally own the property and that no one else could claim full or partial ownership of the property.

Track back to examine what the deal profit is per property.

Tax benefits fade away over time due to depreciation, in about 7 to 10 years over a holing period, you need to examine your use of funds and equity over time as that will indicate the time to sell or replace your inventory, with single family residential properties, you'll be better off generally replacing inventory than holding 30 years.