I wonder if you can see if a permit was submitted to the city to have any work done? 

But if your current or prospective CPA doesn't know what you're talking about, find a new CPA immediately. 

For example, finish a basement, get an ADU permit, rent by the room, ...Renting the whole house to one family typically will net you the cash flow you want

I need to do some farming and circle prospecting for specific buildings and be able to contact (not via another postcard) their owners. 

I was permitted to design & install it all myself so that saved us $$$$thousands.

Does the two years "start" when I have a certificate of occupation and I move in, or does it start when I pull permits to build it?

Purchase price would be the most obvious way, so perhaps spending more time locating excellent prospects?

Roof is newer (est 2019) no permits found as of yet.

@Suduk N I would wait to find a more suitable tenant and/or lower the rental price.I recently had a turnover on the Southside of Chicago and after listing it on Zillow and rentlinx had over 75 inquiries within 3 days of posting.8 prospects came to view it and I eventually found a qualified candidate.The cost to wait for a qualified tenant is always less than the cost to evict an unqualified tenant.

No ventilation, no fan, nothing but a great mold growing medium.The building inspector had issued a permit for the remodel and plumbing and other things like a roof replacement.