It should be public record.

Also in DC and MD a licensed agents first duty by law is to the public and to protect the public's interest.

It would be great to get paid to learn how to research properties and know what all can be found in the public domain.

If zoning change needed, city will have to advertise it and public opinion and comments by neighbors would com into play..... again, you could approach the neighbors up front and see if they would offer support, especially if it would be freeing up off-street parking for them....Just food for thought.... :-) 

We're gonna record that on public record for all time?  

I am looking to expand beyond buy & hold to the fix and flip, wholesale, multifamily & public auction.

I know websites like Zillow and Trulia are not accurate, and the tax assessor's records are not accurate either (that is, if the property's records are even available to be publicly viewed).

We buy houses cash tells the general public, who by the way is made up of a plethora of morons, exactly what you do.

(finding rundown properties and contacting owners through public records?)

For the public good" is a business ethic that promotes business in a community, if the public is not in good standing then business opportunities are limited.Doing the right thing is never wrong.