Whatever you do, if the property is in the city of Chicago pick a self-certified architect. 

There are only about 60 management companies that are Certified Residential Management Companies.

I am thinking pretty seriously about getting certified. 

He's planning to get certified as a Hyperbaric Chamber Technician next year.

I intend to wholesale single families 3/2 and 4/2, mostly in the South - however I am always open-minded for recommendations, geographical as well as ones about specializations, niches etc.Off topic: outside of real estate thing I am a professional translator, a professional mountaineer and a mountain guide (though not certified in US) - actually loving all these both as a work and as a hobby.

david in our neck of the woods its the opposite the taxing authority must notify by certified mail anyone who has a recorded interest in the property.. which is why very few properties actually go to sale. and very very few with mortgages because the lender gets notified of the sale then can bring it current

i have found it very difficult to find knowledgeable, reasonably price professionals - specifically lawyers and cpa's/certified bookeepers - and would be relieved to find some useful information and/or referrals. thanks in advance for any info!

It also appears that to act as a lender, individuals will need to become certified and/or licensed as well.

@Arnold Finkelstein, if you want to eventually end up with the real estate, contact the taxpayer by regular and certified mail, advise of the tax sale, demand they either vacate the property or redeem or surrender possession to you or sign a lease with you. 

If you are tap dancing around 100K to 300K per year, do an internet search for a local Certified Tax Coach/Planner.They are engineered to do Tax Strategy for a set dollar bid and an assurance of substantial savings.