Quote from @Chris Breaton: I'm looking at some houses in my home market that have been sitting vacant for some time, any advice on finding owner contact information and approach methods would be greatly appreciated.

Check with @leo young....I believe they have a mobile home park fund that might partner with you. 

I would check out the midwest.

You can also check out groups like the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), which might have some leads for you.Another option is to talk to property managers who specialize in group homes or sober living.

Check out this chart: FICO Score Pct of Population Default Probability 800 or more 13.00% 1.00% 750-799 27.00% 1.00% 700-749 18.00% 4.40% 650-699 15.00% 8.90% 600-649 12.00% 15.80% 550-599 8.00% 22.50% 500-549 5.00% 28.40% Less than 499 2.00% 41.00% Source: Fair Isaac CompanyMake sure you understand the Class of properties you are looking at and the corresponding results to expect.Metro Detroit has 132 cities, the City of Detroit 183 Neighborhoods, which we’re analyzing and classifying.

Check out this chart: FICO Score Pct of Population Default Probability 800 or more 13.00% 1.00% 750-799 27.00% 1.00% 700-749 18.00% 4.40% 650-699 15.00% 8.90% 600-649 12.00% 15.80% 550-599 8.00% 22.50% 500-549 5.00% 28.40% Less than 499 2.00% 41.00% Source: Fair Isaac CompanyMake sure you understand the Class of properties you are looking at and the corresponding results to expect.Metro Detroit has 132 cities, the City of Detroit 183 Neighborhoods, which we’re analyzing and classifying.

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs: Quote from @Cody Christensen: Check this article from 4 weeks ago. 

That is why in most cases a Heloc versus a "Cash out Refinance" for example can be a bad choice.You may or may not know but Heloc "Can NEVER be used as an asset or a PITI reserve which is required in 99% of investment property purchases.

I have been talking to a bunch of people who work in real estate about whether this was a bad time to do a cash-out refi.The responses were the following:It does not matter whether it is a good or bad time.

(Check the county website for formula)