While I'm a huge believer in using public records as a lead source (that's what my company does), there are some things that are better sourced at other points in the process.

There are no structures on this lot and even when there was it was serviced by public sewer at the street.

. 😜)3)  Are there any city programs out there available for assisting the buyer in fixing up the place.  

I never noticed fire hydrants until I worked with public utilities, now I spot them everywhere and can rattle off the brand and (approximate) age without much difficulty. 

No minimum amounts.When I went back to ask a second round of financing they said they shut down the program because they did too much lending... 

Those programs all fixed the interest rates for workout loans for 5 years.

there are thousands of 4 plexs in PHX many went through foreclosure about 5 to 6 years ago and were trading for less than 100k per 4 plex with rents at 2400 gross.these are probably bounced back to about 150 to 200k... they peaked in 07 at 350k FYII knew many bay area folks who bought them at 350.. .there was a RE agent in PHX Linda Gercheck who brought her RE broker team to the bay area and did fly buy program and as stated she killed it in 05 to 07.. 

I am completely new to real estate and currently have a full time job in public government.  

See this:http://inwisconsin.com/inside-wedc/transparency/pr...then search for Economic Development Tax Credits - - I recall upstate NY had one ...Minnesota:http://mn.gov/deed/business/locating-minnesota/res...Maryland: http://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/programs-for-bus...

We, the associates of home depot have access to a program called "your other warehouse" YOW for short.