Not sure if I can tell you any short cuts to gaining info other than to dig in on the forums and blog posts here on BP and getting your hands on some of the "classic" RE books like The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, How I turned $1,000 into a Million in Real Estate in My Spare Time, Think and Grow Rich, etc. etc.The local REIA is a good place to do some networking and the Lancaster group is fairly large.  

I know there are no shortcuts.

Miami Lakes (where I live) is really nice, but getting in and out during rush hour is a nightmare; every road out becomes clogged with traffic, and there are no "shortcuts", as it's enclosed on all four sides by highways or airports.

Unless you or your family member is a real estate attorney, I would not recommend the "City Hall" shortcut.

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”Proverbs 21:5 

I have 4 rentals and I have spent the last years managing the business(hap hazardly or passively) and some grad school work.

Either you don't fully understand the cost of properly cleaning up such a mess or are willing to take shortcuts to do it without necessary permits and government oversight....likely incorrectly and thus cause further ground contamination.Good luck

With that said hearing you talk about the filing system at you bank only makes me feel better about not falling for some expensive design, print, and mail campaign I have 4 bird dogs in the field right now that I guide everyday, this reminds me there is no shortcuts, "no offence Lenard" for hard face to face work.  

Spend your effort vetting your lawyer, not trying ascertain short cuts.  

I'm a firm believer that there is no short cuts in life.