@Hobart King Back in the 90's, in the early days of ebay (before they even went public), I bought a used guru course on tax liens.

That is part of my background check (i.e. search court records, facebook, public records ... ).

@Jeanette Adler Several years ago I remember seeing that title at my local public library. 

The reason why a state requires a license is to protect to public from shady individuals and to make money through fees and fines.You will have to pull the necessary permits just like a contractor would and pass inspection.

What I've learned is that you can find better deals that aren't marketed to the public.

We purchased a different house (personal residence) about 2 months ago and today I found out that we are on septic instead of public sewer.  

More public assisted housing for the less income residents cuts into what this segment used to take care of.Returns are good to great in this investment BUT risk and long term may be limited. 

They are pretty hard to come across actually.So that leaves basically apartment complexes or homes to buy/renno/rent  and the yields in this current market environment arent too great.the one thing i can say that houston offers that los angeles doesnt  is extremely good public schools in the suburbs and a lot of international people working there for oil and gas jobs that fuel that demand. 

Do the new lots have to be relatively equally sized or they can be any sizes as long as the setbacks and land coverage ratios are satisfied.When calculating the land coverage ratio, is road and public area (walkways, playground, etc.) included?

I am trying to find the mortgage balance owed on a property, I was told it's public records on the clerk of court website but I don't seem to see it...?