Here in Maricopa County, they do an aerial survey of the county every year.

If single family home do a survey and check for boundary violations etc.Unless you are getting a sizable discount this may not be worth the effort.

We may require a survey if there is not one already – these normally cost between $350 – $450 for a single family house in a suburb.

I find it very difficult to buy liens, deeds or redeemable deeds in locations I have not seen or have someone to survey the property for me. 4- not sure...maybe knowing the different rules at each county auction. 

Obviously I am thinking of getting the property surveyed and thinking of building it back up to a potential getaway/airbnb.

Offer to sign a confidentiality agreement to try to break the information loose.You can often underwrite a deal using a market rent survey and industry standard expenses.

They may require a new survey if you cannot provide one which you will also pay for.

You can also look at reports from IRR.com and or www.marcusmillichap.com for a more broad overview of the market.For market cap rates look at the report put out by CBRE  "US CAP Rate Survey Advance Review 2018"

Best to get your property surveyed at the beginning and be firm with keeping people off of it. 

Get a survey, now!