I'm a bit concerned about what this does to my property value and whether I should call code enforcement....

This property is built in the 50s or 60s and the building codes have changed a lot, how to approach county to get this info?

That might help with the areas to look for or avoid.As far as Indy goes, townships and zip codes aren't everything.

Their standards may not be that strict.

Some allow you to change code with app so others cannot re-enter.

Pick one zip code, or one neighborhood and a specific type of property and focus on that for a while. 

I can't recommend any books, but for foreclosures and tax deeds, a good place to start is to get all the info you can from the sheriff or court house clerk who puts on the auction, and read the state's revised code/statutes on the subject.

I know some big time operations, service providers, and strictly investors that have bitten off waaay more than they can chew in the last several years. 

I am currently finding a property, then staring at various maps and essentially guessing as to where it falls, then researching codes and regulations in that area.

Make then register a phone # and text a confirmation code, get their IP address?