Essentially THDA is going to provide $60 million in down payment assistance to 4,000 home buyers in selected zip codes across the state.

You can find the Bradford city code here: http://ecode360.com/9028162.  

If you can and look up CA's probate code (if this property is near you), find out & look-up the probate case# to see what is happening (will, trust, intestate..) some places have set rules for minimum private bids executor can except etc.... search BP for Rick H. the probate guys post.

I think I am very familiar with certain zip codes which I am interested.

It also creates HTML for posting on Craigslist.  

Like.... code violation homes....Like... ????

Properties with high equity, absentee owner and owner occupants, driving for dollars, code violation lists you can get from municipalities, tax delinquent, pre-forclosures, and so on.

Form and LLC and elect to be taxed as an S-Corp http://www.thetaxadviser.com/issues/2013/dec/casestudy-dec2013.html

He has about 20 years experience and is renovating his own home in Enfield, so he knows the challenges with older homes.You didn't mention electrical, if it's not up to code the whole house will need to be rewired.  

Like the idea Chance, but you might look for a properly zoned, up to code, duplex with a separate units (entrances, meters, addresses, etc) just to get a clean start.