FYI, some bigger investors and corporations are in bed with local housing authorities...meaning the housing authority doesn't really inspect properties...they just pass them.

If we were to have another Chicago Fire, we wouldn't be able to rebuild 90% of the existing multi families under current zoning.While it seems like a great idea at first, mass Down-zoning is too blunt a tool that can be used to concentrate power in the hands of Zoning Authorities and elected officials- for good or for bad.

Normally authorities wouldn't know till neighbors invariably complain.

Does it make sense to get pre-authorized and start searching ASAP (with plans to table the search if I haven't found a suitable property in the first few months), or just wait until the fall?  

The author always does this, so I was wondering if a balloon mortgage might not be a good way to finance a house temporarily while fixing it for refinance or flipping.

In places where the province is the taxation authority (or at least the agent for collection), I'm not aware of any which sell off the liens.   

Here in Toledo, the HUD Sect 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is administered by LMHA (Lucas County Metopolitan Housing Authority).

I recommend this book because the author gives solid advice on preparing yourself to act.

I just wanted to share that I received a letter from my local Housing Authority yesterday. 

Once you get some of the information from them, you can give it to the proper authorities.