You could have a Realtor pull the history for specific areas off the mls.

For the most part I pull my own comps and spread light on this being potentially more of a headache or a home run.

Those running the platforms are pulling in a salary though so it may be in their economic short-term interest to finance things this way.  

if they are much lower,  then use that to negotiate, or just have the plumber do the piping.I pulled in an electrician to do work on a property I just rehabbed.  

Pulled all the carpet out and found beautiful 2" oak floors in a bedroom and living room.    

Aside from the fines, you don't want to have to live with the consequences of a death or serious injury on your project because someone gets hurt doing something stupid and you didn't know what to do.Also, how are you going to pull permits without someone being licensed?  

Is there an office I can call that would give me a list of any permits that may have been pulled on a property that I am interested in buying?

My thinking is this...pull 35k out of my 401k, sell a car and pay off the rest and also pay off all credit debt to bring down DTI, Refi my home, use some of the money to do some upgrades, rent out and then doing it all over again.

On paper, does this look decent or should I pull out while I still have a chance? 

Paying cash for the 1st rental is key and it is great you have the equity from your primary to do this.So I spoke with one lender that deals with investment financing and this is the method.  1: buy house with cash2: remodel and improve with intention of buying into equity3: (this is the tricky part with time)  Wait 6 months (some make u wait 12mo)  and get reappraised with intention of financing for 70% the appraised equity.4: Use the 70% pulled from 1st home to buy your 2nd property.This method works better in flips because once the 1st home is sold you can do the method over agian.