Hi Jim,You can find Mortgage information from the county recorder, but the bank probably won't talk to you about the property without the owner's authorization. 

@Bill KramerOne would hope that didn't happen...Ethical considerations aside, it's a crime for a tax return preparer to disclose client information unless specifically authorized by the client or pursuant to a court order.Treas.

Since this one is already built, I'm scared that if i start down this path to getting it permitted, the local authorities are gonna bite me.

That gives them a little more authority with their work and with any charges should it end up in court. 

I use to work for the housing authority as a PM. 

And you have to deal with the Housing Authority administration which includes lots of paperwork and inspections. 

To be fair, they have been looking (confirmed by housing authority), but they did not find a place by the end of their lease (I won't get into the obvious reasons why). 

Advise Airbnb that the person who set up this account has no legal authority to do so, send them the docs showing he does Not have the authority to rent (if this is spelled out) and tell them you are changing the locks so no guest will have access...it will be in their interest to cancel the listing and any bookings..  

Garrett Sutton - author of "Loopholes of Real Estate" and others is the owner and has been on many podcasts explaining the nuances of choosing the right state.

Some state will have you hold on the personal property until probate is done or a mandatory two months, whatever is less.Also be very careful, who, if any, you should authorized to enter the property.