Together the lot is considered to be a Four Family Home.I am trying to decipher the http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/offices/housinginspection.html website.

You could also look up permit info on the OpenDSD website.  

Bandit signs, websites, yellow letters etc... 

I called the local branch and they gave me a 1-800#, I called it they were helpful with a website to go to, the house is not listed there.

In fact, Investor Carrot websites say that cluttered and busy looking websites gain better traffic in the "I buy houses" world.On my single family homes, I use all the name address signage.

I see that you are just down the road from me in VA, but I was unable to access Virginia's website this morning... perhaps their site is down at the moment?  

Now with the internet and self serve website like zillow and etc, I'm trying to see how realtors will continue to survive in a world thats changing toward self serve to sell your house as well with so many entrepreneurial investors helping homeowners sell and buy.I'm not here to debate about realtors but, I think the realtors may soon become like the old CD getting replaced by ipods and itunes.  

...just FYI the owners name is still on the tax appraisal website and was the "person" to have claim a deed to the property 

(how much to spend on the house vs. renovations)Any specific website to search for fixer uppers?

Look on various realtor websites such as Redfin, Zip, Realtor.com, etc. to see what prices are like for the type of property you like in different areas you like.