My situation however is quite complex to say the least and I could really use the advice of some seasoned investors in a less public forum.

I located, through public records, some people who either bought notes in the past or lent money secured by real estate in the Shasta county (not the owner finance people - only people who have lent on a property they didn't sell).

There's probably not a deal to be made today but this is the type of seller to keep in touch with because her situation may change and she may decide she needs to get rid of it and will become motivated.I've seen it before where FSBO people were asking $200k for a house and it was on the market for years and then all of the sudden I see in the public records that somebody bought it for $50k.

Run a public records/asset search, figure out where and what he owns.

Does anyone in here have any experience with Arizona's subdivision public report law?

If you want to own "passive" real estate invest in a public REIT.  

Does anyone have hands on (Do it yourself) experience with having an abstract of judgment fully released and removed from public records (not seeking legal advice, just relevant past experiences)?

Our City is small enough that I can cover most of it, and all of the downtown core, comfortable on my daily run or when transporting the toddler to and from day care by bike {Yes, event this time of year when the temperatures are not too low ....

The street was a public road , covered by county law , the HOA could only govern inside the curb line .

Doing one deal without a license can fly under the right of one to transact their own interest in a situation, doing it as a business with ongoing transactions is very different/Another issue here is that any listing of RE in any book or magazine or publication of properties not owned requires a broker's license, to advertise RE for others, including FSBOs.Saying you're not listing for the public may not have much weight to it if anyone can join.