There is an association in place but it doesn't sound like they have any real power to levy assessments but I will of course check all that out before I move forward.

The challenge for me is how to assess which is path is more efficient and effective for me and why? 

Counties in New Jersey collect an average of 1.89% of a property's assessed fair market value as property tax per year.

I think you mean ARV (assessed retail value or after repair value) instead of "AVR".Are you looking to flip properties, focus on appreciation long term, or rent them out. 

My personal assessment as a developer is that there are many sources to fund your deals, crowd-funding is only one of them and that doesn't really allow me any special "deal" when it comes to funding terms.  

When/if  my plumber assesses the situation and says "Tenant has been putting paper towels/feminine products/cooking oil in the  sink or toilet.

he is assessing things with his tax guy, from what he says, and I touched base with him last week and still he says the same thing.

You need to have a good contractor assess the repairs and give you a better bid.

Is there a special assessment on the horizon?

Section 604 (a)(3)(E) & (F) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act allows this for a potential investor:item subsection “E” says…Intends to use the information as a potential investor or servicer, or current insurer, in connection with a valuation of, or an assessment of the credit or prepayment risks associated with, an existing credit obligationIn addition, subsection “F” says…Otherwise has a legitimate business need for information in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer or to review an account to determine whether the consumer continues to meet the terms of the account.The full document can be found here; http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/pdf-0111-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf