Attend your local real estate investing associations, get a mentor, feed yourself uplifting and inspiring content (i.e. read some of the books here, read management/entrepreneurial ones.  

@Troy Fisher  I forget about my vendors and other business associates.  

You'll still have costs associated with the closing and title transfer which you'll likely have to pay....unless your conworker REALLY likes you, haha.

This way she gets a break from other expenses that are associated with running her own apartment that she currently has and also helps you offset the cost on your expenses.

I’ve thought a lot about both approaches but the property I am thinking of fixing up is in the family and is technically not mine yet and aside from needing upgrades it has other problems associated with it.I am currently living in the property I've made some upgrades to the kitchen, bathroom, exterior and interior paint and I’m paying $500 rent that goes towards taxes.

Someone could google the address of the trust and may find you associated with that address.

I have a different address associated with the owner that I can send a letter too which is what I will probably do now.I wanted to know if anyone has had any luck or has other suggestions on how to get in touch with an owner of a vacant home. 

But you must act quickly, there are timelines associated with bankruptcies.

You'll also use these visits to understand rehab items and the associate costs. 

There are annual fees associated with the bank to maintain your line of credit.