When I was testing, I tested maybe 4 zip codes in areas that might be prone to late payments.

The seller said either he put some code on the wall's foundation or give us $100 dollar.

Jumping through the hoops and disclosures under the "Home Equity Sales Contract" act, CA Civil Code Section 1695, et. seq. is highly prudent.

Check your building code for what is required.

Mae sure to check with code on the permits and ask extensive questions on what he did to insure the smoke, fire, and water damage was taking care of the CORRECT way.

You can get the absentee owner list from listsource.com for ~$0.08 a lead and you can choose targeted areas by zip code, county, or with a map.

Without knowing your building codes, exactly what work still needs to be done, costs for your area, etc. it's impossible to say.

Maybe getting a quote for a 90% efficiency unit if you are paying for utilities or get an 80% unit anyway and put a thermostat lockbox over the thermostat and leave it at minimum of whatever the local code requires for heat during the winter for a rental unit.

Or you can get the list of dangerous buildings or code violations from the city.

Testing seems to really be concerned with the Construction Business Practices, Safety/ Building Codes aspects, as opposed with trade skills specific information.