Auditors take the same approach, is it going to be worth the effort to continue an audit, is there fraud, violations of law.......the hunt has to be worth the benefits of the kill. :) 

I would do a search on the county auditor site.

I always use "Butler County Auditor" site for searches, you can run reports off of there that will show you delinquent tax homes. 

Instead, an auditor might look at (A) address on your driver's license or other docs, (B) utility bills compared with rental logs, (C) where you get your mail, etc.  

However if you're doing this year after year and just claiming oh it's intent was rental you're an auditor's dream basically. 

I am a certified building performance institute quality control inspector and energy auditor. 

Unless you like spending time with auditors, you should not try to do this yourself. 

I'm looking for any tips and tricks you guys might have about using the Franklin county auditors website here in Columbus Oh. ?

In the event of an audit/inquiry, it's up to you to prove that intent, so you'd want to keep emails, communications, social media posts, etc that would showcase that intent.An auditor might dive pretty deep due to your flipping goals, so in the end it will depend on the quality of your proof against what can feel like the auditor's whims.For the land - if you were clearing large growth/timber/trash with the intent to begin building, then yes - that's part of basis. 

A little background about me: I'm 23, graduated college with an accounting and finance degree, and have been working at EY as a public accountant - auditor, for about a year.