And while nothing is foolproof the most consistent method of finding good vendors is relying on OTHER real estate investors that have worked with those vendors. 

A few public projects have cleaned this up but the area has never prospered since.

I feel direct mail is another great method.

@Shiloh Lundahl Awesome, thank you ok so having that 10-20k as a buy in is important, to first getting into it.... it helps get those first deals started.... just as an aside : I am also just starting out doing finder's fee methods - with tax foreclosure overages refunds, and assett recovery / state funds refunds... so I think those can help me to get that intial 10-20,000.... it might take me some months, but I think I can get there.... that's my initial plan, at leastAnd if I can get that saved up, then that will help me break into deals....

You may be serviced 3 times during the storm and a final clean up and salting after the storm .

I think this is the method I would like to go as it fits in line with what I envisioned. 

I know hosts have included additional cleaning fees for violations as a deterrent.If none of these solutions work, you could look into completely independent HVAC systems for the two units, though that would be a bigger upfront investment.

RESOLVE this issue NOW and make a clean break. 

First of all, my personal credit was a very good at 735 midscore. 100% financed tidied it up just a little bit more with  just cleaning up a couple of things on my credit.

Assuming this is a clean file, with no exceptions required, most Underwriters take anywhere from 48-72 hours to review a loan and get CTC, or provide further conditions.