as off market deals get harder to come by in my territory:I want to start learning about purchasing preforeclosures ; negotiating the purchase of bank owned properties prior to them hitting MLS ; etc.I want to use RealtyTrac.com to do the above :Does anyone have advice on how to purchase in the above manners ?

Many that you analyze in Florida will be underwater and the bank will not significantly discount below current actual value, and many will be cured by the homeowner just prior to the auction. 

Does anyone know of the easiest way to check for all liens on a property prior to purchasing?

However, I instructed my team not to come to me unless it was "mission critical".

With obvious capital expenses taken against the prior year's income, M&M grossly understated the NOI.

Prior to the crash we were mostly investing in multifamily.

If I am planning to purchase a house with a tank, from now on, I will get the tank tested by a licensed geologist prior to purchase.  

Include them as a hard cost to the property when calculating rental rates.I agree 100% that the PM should know what utilities are the tenants responsibility and check that they have been paid prior to releasing the Sec Dep.Its my opinion that your PM dropped the ball on this and they should be responsible to pay the sewer bill, and chase down the tenant for the amount owed.

If you used that money as a down payment on an investment property and you need to make repairs prior to renting how do you fund that?

the prior resident was an artist so we found all sorts of nice picture frames and painting supplies.