Next go to your city's public records however you can access it and find property values.

If so, what do you think of their service? 

For info, title, foreclosure attorney / trustee depending on state, public records, etc.

I wrote a blog recently about some of the overall trends and gradual evolution of the PM industry primarily focused on the evolving consumer services expectations.

You incur the cost of running the background check (be it hard funds to pay for a service, or your time spent calling around to employers and previous land lords). 

Just a bilateral agreement that specifies:The giver of the option, or optionorThe receiver of the option, or optioneeThe purchase priceThe term (start date and end date) that the agreement will be in effectThe consideration (typically a dollar amount) paid by the optionee to secure the right to buyPLUS whatever else your attorney thinks is necessary.Make the document recordable by your county clerk, get it signed (and possibly notarized), and then have it recorded on public record.The intent is to ensure that if he tries to sell to anyone else, a title search will find this agreement and trigger a title defect.

My son has been in the Navy for 2.5 years and is contemplating purchasing his first home which will be a 2 unit.He is looking for find out what options he has as far as mortgages that require smaller down payments.  H...

The official zoning is C-RS (commercial rural service) but as the home was built is 1919 so it is existing, non-conforming and can be used as a SFH or commercial business.

I went to inner city public schools and don't come from a lot of money.

@Sean Quinlan thanks for your service on the front lines !