So I went biking (not driving) for dollars over the weekend and stumbled across a handful of abandoned/distressed properties.

I found an abandoned house and I already talked with the neighbors and they know nothing of them.

When dealing with local parks you can get good deals as there are few folks bidding on abandoned homes that likely need work.

But if it is obviously abandoned, say so in the letter.

My realtor mentioned that 12 month  of vacancy/abandonment loses any grandfathering in, i.e., R-3. 

Gas tanks were abandoned in the 1960's. 

What is the best way to find out who the Owner(s) is , on a property that looks distressed and or abandoned .This recent property that I am interested in , looks to be abandoned , and it is definitely distressed.

It will also be considered temporary, if it is abandoned within a few years after it is established for reasons other than business necessity.

But if it is obviously abandoned, say so in the letter.

I would not abandon them as they are spending a huge amount of $$ trying to regain market dominance.