Along with meeting all building code, they require a water test and they require the septic be pumped every 4 years.

HVAC, foundation, addons or conversions not permitted or up to code

With that in mind...start with a smaller area or zip code and find the "big fish" cash buyers in that area.

We have used them several times in the past to find contractors to do work at our house and will likely utilize them for rehab work when we find an investment property.On their website ( www.homeadvisor.com ), you put in the zip code and the type of job, and they give you a list of several pre-screened contractors/companies to contact.  

There was serious electrical and plumbing issues, and there was an addition (4rd bedroom) that was never approved, not to code.

Also remember that for a 1031 you have 45 days from the sale of the property to list 3 properties you are looking at buying (you cannot alter the 3 or you will not qualify).

We'll take stories, advice, zip codes, colleagues... whatever you can suggest.

Watch out for other  gov't liens, code violations, property taxes, and recorded/unrecorded HOA debts, as these all remain with the property.

;)Be careful there, building codes today might not permit that to be done.  

We have experience in a lot of lower-income types of properties (specifically 32839 and 32808 zip codes).