First, each property needs a Landlord  policy(LP), which provides fire, protects the lender from loss and you from public liability (some up to 1mill ).Second, an umbrella policy adds protection on and above the LP.I hand each tenant a copy of Renters Insurance so they can protect themselves.

The property then goes on public auction.

Don, interesting... just curious - do your orders come ultimately from projects that are in the public or private sector at the top of the chain?

In areas without public water & sewer, you will also need to know health codes, soils, and wetland issues Essential to know.and finally,5.

Anyone have any other methods of getting great deals before these go public.

I have all teh closing documents and receipts for the work.Here are the public records that dispute your claims, both your resale price and the square footage:http://www.fultonassessor.org/Forms/PrintDatalet.aspx?

The increased demand for renters is good for my rentals, but if the buying public doesn't believe owning real estate is a good thing, aren't we screwed?

Location: Signs shall not be located in common areas, such as Home Owners Association areas and easements, unless approved by the owner of the common area such as a Home Owners Association, nor in the public right-of-way.

California participates in the Small Corporate Offering Registration (SCOR), which allows you to raise $1M from the public, without limitation as to advertising and accredited/unaccredited investor status.  

This is what can be done in Illinois: Answer the telephone, take messages, and forward calls to a licenseeSubmit listings and changes to an MLSFollow up on a transaction after a contract has been signedAssemble documents for a closingSecure public information documents from a courthouse, sewer district, water district, or other repository of public informationHave keys made for a company listingDraft advertising and promotional materials for approval by a licenseePlace advertisingRecord and deposit earnest money, security deposits, and rentsComplete contract forms with business and factual information at the direction of and with approval by a licenseeMonitor licenses and personnel filesCompute commission checks and perform bookkeeping activitiesPlace signs on propertyOrder items of routine repair as directed by a licenseePrepare and distribute flyers and promotional information under the direction of and with approval by a licenseeAct as a courier to deliver documents, pick up keys, etc.Place routine telephone calls on late rent paymentsSchedule appointments for the licensee (does not include making phone calls, telemarketing, or performing other activities to solicit business on behalf of the licensee)Respond to questions by quoting from published informationSit at a property for a broker tour that is not open to the publicGather feedback on showingsPerform maintenance, engineering, operations, or other building trades work and answer questions about such workProvide securityProvide concierge services and other similar amenities to existing tenantsManage or supervise maintenance, engineering, operations, building trades, and securityPerform other administrative, clerical, and personal activities for which a license is not requiredIn Illinois, an unlicensed assistant may NOT perform the following tasks:Host open houses, kiosks, home show booths, or fairsShow propertyInterpret information on listings, titles, financing contracts, closings, or other information related to a real estate transactionExplain or interpret a contract, listing, lease agreement, or other real estate document with anyone outside the employing licensee’s firmNegotiate or agree to any commission, commission split, management fee, or referral fee on behalf of a licenseePerform any other activity for which a real estate license is required