Your option or lease can't have rights to act as an owner, getting building permits, hiring contractors for repairs, insurance loss issues, evictions are more complicated, it really requires an owner who will assist if needed.

I read up that the conversion to one's garage does not need permit as long as it's internal, and no expansion.

Definitely John,For one, the existing house is in bad condition, I cannot even rent it while I get permits in place.  

Can I pull permits after the fact?  

Any tips for a new comer, will i be taken serious as this age

Are all of the units permitted?

I have an existing sign so I wouldn't even need to get a permit from the city to put up a sign.Brilliant!

It seems something new comes up every few months but we have funds set aside for that. 

Need help with the most effective and financially savvy method to request a municipal lien search and permit search.Question:When buying a single family home in cash, are there any hidden liens or legal issues  i need to be aware of.

@Mikki Johnson You can go to our local city/county Building dept.s, online to see what permits were pulled.