While driving for dollars I noticed a few homes that looked distressed.

Noticed I said today and not forever ...

If their lease is expired, can't I just give them 30 days notice and expect them to leave.I believe the problems with the tenants are due to a tired/slumlord.

Another favorite site of BPer's: http://www.lonestarlandlaw.com/deceptive-trade-pra...Notice that "taking advantage of" and "predatory" have the same meaning.Consumer protection laws are basically, anti-predatory laws:https://www.nclc.org/images/pdf/udap/report_50_sta...Look to pages 6, 7 and 8, in the charts you'll see real estate listed and the findings of the effectiveness of state laws, in the opinion of the study.Here's GA.

I've been house sharing for 10 years, and recently gave notice to a housemate for the first time.

generally the older the properties the higher the fees due to the cost of maintenance rising property taxes etc Fees also increase over the years but they should be matched to a well kept property as @Nick Britton said read over all the condo docs and especially the budget paying attention to reserves,expenses etc .I have lived in the Palm Springs area for a number of years and have see condi fees as high as $1000 per month on some of the older properties.If you a re looking at a investment in this area it has a host of problems as you noticed,rising fees is a big one.

The closing agent noticed that the seller’s attorney-in-fact had signed the deed where I, the buyer, should sign.

It has been in modification since 2008 and noticed in paper 5 separate times for forecloser. 

Courthouse, recorder's office, legal notices in the paper.  

If the tenant is month-to-month you can raise the rent with written notice.