Then you would go the county recorders system and try to search on whatever identifiers you found.Worst comes to worst, you could try calling or visiting the assessors office and ask them what the number means.

For just starting out, I would probably shoot for the newest possible, probably newer than 1980 (you can also avoid the federal lead paint laws that way also)Neighborhoods - This is really subjective, but I'd stay away from the worst and the best.

Cook County is one of the worst places in the area to be a landlord.

If they buy by next summer I can use the homestead exemption to sidestep the worst of the taxes.  

This company is the worst in banking.

Unmarried partners are my worst rental group, they have always had the highest number of broken leases of any group.My last two such groups both broke their leases within six months even with good credit.This is especially true when they are just moving in together, separate addresses you mentioned.

Worse comes to worst, if I have to dump houses at cost to an FHA Buyer: say $60,000, 5% FHA loan, the buyer’s payment would be $300/mo with a total cost of ownership of under $500/mo with $2,000 down.

Considering a worst-case senario, I may have to foreclose in 9 months.  

A good lease is really only there to safeguard you against the worst renter possible....you don't have to enforce it but always be prepared to.

Kind of ironic to say that when you're a shopper in the Bay Area because it seems so competitive.Now is almost the worst time to be buying in Lake Tahoe and Modesto IMO.