This gives you instant great data (ignore that Zestimate, of course) like parcel number, tax info, link to County database, sale history, etc.

Reads like a sales pitch.... because it is.Anywho,A great place to start generating leads would be through a REI list broker or database like listource, propstream, etc.The part that takes some know how is the filtering, stacking, and prioritizing of your data for your marketing activities.

Questions:-are there tax benefits that would enable us to save (write off/shelter) more $ if the rental property has a higher mortgage / value.

I think the sum up is that people gave you feedback that you didnt want to hear or deal with, and your agent  enabled this because they didnt want to rock the boat. 

So I send out letters every month to a database for my whole state of those owners.

You are not going to be able to add them to the eviction database - this time.

That was a very helpful article on 203k loans, particularly the database.

There is a state-wide database you can easily find by googling "nj property tax."

If it's recorded at the county, residential, the borrower is personally obligated, and it shows up on our little last-minute database check... it'll count.

You make a detailed list of the damages and send to the tenant along with the proper letter in your state enabling you to keep the deposit and send them a bill for the difference.Tell them they have 30 days to pay.