So if I was dealing with a seller who was insisting on handling the transfer this way, I would be wondering what the seller is trying to hide... and I would figure it out. noted, i already started contacting some title companies, and found a couple that seem trustworthy, do you have any recommendations>

I/we appreciate you as one of our investors.Feel free to contact me anytime.Continued success!

If you ABSOLUTELY want to do it, just spend a few satoshis and find the contacts for a private lender that will do the deal.

Also confirm that county maintenance liens are added to the tax debt.Fourth, you can contact your county ordinance department, usually those who handle house condemnations and mowing liens, and provide them with the property tax number, photos of the violation with a complaint from the named neighbor about the risk. 

I've contacted 8 insurance companies/brokers and no one offers policies (issue being the subleasing).

Do most people contact the PM, realtors, contractors in that area remotely or is it more ideal to fly there and meet people?

Just contact a collections agency and send them proof of the debt owed (could be the signed lease agreement or a judgement if you have one).

Contact local addiction recovery groups I.E.

If you are getting a loan, this could be an issue so contact your lender asap for a possible work around. 

At the time Governor Schwarzenegger contacted President Bush to make the San Diego fires a national Disaster area.