Those of us with portfolios in previously non-RC areas upstate now all of sudden are slapped with a yoke around our necks and become unwilling participants to the socialism we try and avoid by purchasing north of the Tappan Zee.The way I see it, any little town is just one Democratic mayor and a small activist group away from permanently altering the livelihoods of their landlords.

Believe it or not, their comments are not as much criticisms of your plans but their own excuses as to why they should stay complacent with the status quo in their own lives.And use the naysaying and doubt as fuel to excel. 

A Corporation can be taxed as an S Corporation (passthrough entity).Too many people think that an LLC is a federal tax status...it's not.

Something that I try to note with clients sometimes is, 'legal' separate lot status, 'mapped' lot status, and 'tax assessment' status are all different and applied in different situations.

The person did not leave a forwarding address (I have e-mail and/or phone number, social security etc. though).

YOU have to make the choice if you want to be a REAL ESTATE INVESTOR or buy a house because its so cute and socially acceptable.

You can also buy lists from companies like list source and there are some REI software companies that have a cash buyer search feature.Best way to find motivated sellers is to purchase lists and compile lists from city and county for 60-90-120 days late on mortgage, pre-foreclosure, delinquent taxes, water cutoff, code violation, probate, divorce, high equity, etc. and mail or cold call.Other methods are driving for dollars, door knocking, wholesalers, craigslist, Realtors, FSBO sites, expired listings, foreclosure sites, put out bandit signs, billboards, newspapers, other offline publications.You can use pay per click/adwords, facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, and other forms of online and social media marketing.

I am a social justice activist professionally. 

However are all these home already fully foreclosed upon or are some still in the pre-foreclosure status? 

You are only doing a disservice by not paying into Social Security and paying wages.