You don't want to aimlessly wonder at 50 houses and not know what you are trying to gain, that is prob not efficient.

I'm a former contractor, specializing in "green" technologies and efficient energy use retrofits.

What would be the best or more efficient  steps to follow after you find a vacant house to find the owners?

As a result of us not being on the grounds everyday, it's an opportunity for a maintenance person or someone within property management to take advantage and charge for things that were never fixed OR not in the most efficient way possible. 

I am not sure there is anything that can do that.I am sure @Joe Splitrock has a ton of experience, but I would just rather not be subjected to rude and offensive posts from people who do not have the decency or respect to communicate without making blanket assumptions.  

Friendly - personable, polite and professional.... not a "friend or buddy".Fair - abide by all landlord tenant laws, communicate openly and honestly, no special favors for some tenants and not others.Firm - have the backbone to hold tenants accountable, stand by your written rental agreement.Fast - swift to do maintenance and repair, swift to address tenant concerns and swift to enforce the terms of the rental agreementFlexible - take into consideration extenuating circumstances and be flexible when it is warranted, but don't let tenants manipulate you or take control.Since your grandmother chose these tenants and is compromised because of her church relationship with them, do her a favor and take on the responsibility of addressing this issue as her agent.

Instead of trying to communicate with the owner through their tenant, why not just get the phone number and address of the owner from the tenant and contact them yourself?

I will be a first time landlord very soon and am putting my system in place to try and be as efficient as possible with time.

The more i learn i feel i need to make the most of what i have and use it efficiently.

Something tells me that if someone approached David with decent communication skills and some research done beforehand and a desire to make a working relationship, he'd consider helping out to pay it forward....