If you aren't able to find things online, you could certainly contact the specific building/inspections departments of the cities in which you're buying, and they can likely share pertinent information.Keep in mind, some cities don't even require TISH inspecitons at the time of sale, and most properties will have plenty of minor code violations regardless (I've seen numerous TISH reports miss things as easy as smoke detector requirements).I don't have any good ideas on the high-equity absentee owner lists - someone working full-time on the buying side would be better suited for that question.Good luck!

If you are looking at these areas in Hagerstown, Chambersburg, etc recognize that there are property inspection laws in those areas an you will want to do certain renovations at acquisition to limit those concerns.

Or you can get a professional inspection done, and then ask for repair bids to the major items.You should always get an inspection until you have some experience.Let me know if you want to connect further.

Then it just becomes a situation of inspections.

Usually when those conversions happened utilities were not split properly especially since no building permit or proper inspections of the quality of the conversion work performed.

An inspector inspected my investment property last month due to a report on illegal accessory apartment.

Tell them you'll be there to inspect and if they're out and it's clean you'll hand them a cashier's check for that amount but, if they've left the place a mess they'll only get 1/3rd.Have a 2 cashiers checks ready to go. 

That being said depending where this is at in Vancouver you could possibly get 1100 for rent.I would definitely counter with a lower offer during your inspection period just to see what they say as there are not a ton of offers going out right now.

In other cases, I will waive the attorney and inspection contingencies and offer a high non refundable earnest money....this is only if it is a killer deal that I know will have multiple offers.

You can do move in inspections, do paperwork etc and learn the ropes, rules and best practices from this.