@Jason Ruello- thanks ....assuming you  will need a loan to buy a property - a good place to begin is to get a formal loan pre approval process in place using a hypothetical scenario 

Again, the tenants were adamant about staying and the property manager did her best to navigate the situation with the city letting them know we had every intention of correcting the issue as quickly as possible thus preventing a formal lien.

We met with the city twice for 'preliminary plan check' and are now going through the formal plan check process.

I am glad they finally published a formal opinion. 

I would like to formalize a syndication agreement (which I never did before).

@Jim Rivell-  ask the person that  leant the  funds for a  formal " payoff  letter "  and   review it for a ccuracy ..the payoff  amount sswhould be calculated throught a  specific  date ......the  additonal paperwork needed  is different if the person filed a  lien /  secured the loan on the property .....consult a  real estate  attorney or  escrow firm  for  assistance 

There is a Rules & Regulations form all guests must sign and only a copy of the primary responsible party renting the property is to supply a government issued ID and these items must be available if a Code Enforcement official is called via Hotline call to the property.

Also, when the formal inspection happens on the property, which they will need to give notice on, I would make sure you are there.

I have seen quite a few properties here in CA which is non judicial state in which the second mortgage of very little value is being foreclosed.

This may indeed require significant education either formally, or by  experience.