:)  That house is a mess but it looks like you had some choice stuff left in there that can at least be sold for a few bucks.Most everything I buy needs cosmetics and maybe one major feature added/fixed/replaced.

If they aren't online, you can stop at the county clerk's office and ask them how to look it up.

The reason i purchased my first unit was because I wanted to feel like I accomplished something major and it was only $5000.

Your lender will require this for major expenses like roofing, asphalt, hvac, appliances, etc.Rehab costs would be if the property needs work when you purchase.

Auction.com is hired by banks to sell assets to highest bidder through quasi on line auctions.in some states LIke Alabama they are actually the criers at the public court house auction.. if not sold there then those assets are brought into the loss mit departments then listed with auction to be sold on line at some point in the future.I like it as they require actual money to buy this stuff as in you need healthy deposits and REAL POF's and you can't assign contracts etc.. so it mitigates competition with the no money wholesalers that are out there by the millions  LOL.. 

I though about giving real estate a try which is why I started reading online a bit about real estate, made a purchase order for the book "Rental Property Investing" and came across BiggerPockets. 

HVAC, plumbing, and roofing will most likely be the only things contracted out, yes I know those are major.

First, i would not furnish the places, it will probably get trashed, let them get there own furnishings and make sure that the lease says they must remove them from the property when they leave. i would have them pay for utilities, to an extent - have them pay for electric, supply the heat but give them an allowance for certain amount of months ( especially if you have older furnaces and they run on oil heat ) if they go over then you charge them for it. i converted mine to gas with new furnaces, i include heat in mine, but i control the thermostat ( online, thermostat is locked at the house ). i also provide water / sewer and free internet.

Hotels being a odd animal a majority of crowdfunding portals stay away from them unless you have a very good track record of ownership or operation.  

If you find a lender who does online appraisals or creative structuring, you might be able to find a 2nd lender.