Unless the current owner pulls out statements showing their balance to you and/or unless the trustee has published the bid amount (Which is usually the total debt owed or a formula of the total debt owed), you won't know what's owed.

Our properties are inspected by code enforcement at least every 5 years (Usually every 3) so it keeps us inline as well as gives us a level playing field.

Regrettably there is usually a notable lack of first person proof to support their position.

maybe get a lawyer to give u a contract to purchase (usually free via the states RE association) in exchange for usimg him for closimg

That can be more risky but the rewards can be greater.Is the income per month usually greater ?

As an investor you want to maximize your returns which is usually putting down enough skin to generate a solid rate of return.

For low cost, traditional mortgages are usually cheapest.

That usually translates to low cost low touch. 

You can usually find info on the utility fees charged by the comps on Apartments.com or on the apartments website.

@Shalom Shore  I usually go by recommendations of other investors I know.