I'm thinking anything hidden was more likely to do with the systems of the house as opposed to title, but something was off.

You are dead in the water.

We track the foreclosure in the county's online court records system.

The systems required to manage property on a small level can be covered with hard work and some brainpower. 

So my goal, at least for one specific portion of my investment strategy, is to allow my fellow military members to have everything they need in order to be successful in their education rather than having to worry about why the internet company or water company is giving them a hassle about a very short term stay.

beanie Doo is a great product let it sit over night black mastic will liquify use squeegee. put down sweeping compound etc down to absorb. use good commercial degreaser 80/20 this rinse clean water

in the new tax law to write off a hot water heater in one year? 

Biggest item unless direct billed water/sewer is that there isn't any expense for that in this line items.  

These things can get ugly FAST, and you don't want to get wrapped up in it.I once purchased a home at trustee sale where the previous owner had been stealing water....to the point of litigation. 

There are always some bad ones who want to game the system.