I have a lead for a vacant property and the neighbor has told me that the owner died and her son also died in the house. 

Big yard, only one neighbor, deer from time to time.

The regulations and the neighbors are probably one of the biggest factors. 

Ask your neighbors, friends, and friends of friends about distressed houses.

The fence was leaning all over the place, there was garbage filled 4 ft deep in the air vents, and normal maintenance on almost anything was never done.The neighbors next door were disliked by the whole neighborhood for causing problems.

And other than that there's always asking the neighbors. 

Also your neighbors will give great recommendations as well.

A Realtor can usually look up previous listings for an address too - or look up the neighbor addresses to see if their listing photos include a vantage point into the subject property's yard. 

Im based here in Saint Joseph, next town South of Benton Harbor, and work full-time as a real estate agent in the area.I just wanted to jump in and say hello, and share a few quick insights that might help as you're scoping things out:Benton Harbor City proper is very tough for STRs — highly regulated and not the easiest place to start.Benton Harbor Township is very flexible and a pleasure to work with.Also, many investors look at neighboring coastal townships:Hagar Township (just north of BH) – Very STR-friendlyLake Charter Township (a couple towns South of BH)– Also wide open and a strong marketSouth Haven and surrounding townships – More restrictive, often require multiple day minimum stays and may limit frequency of rentals to once a week turnover MAXIMUM.

Hey BP Fam —I’m in the process of structuring a potential seller finance or subject-to deal with my neighbor here in Granbury, TX, and I want to make sure everything is done by the book and protects both parties.Quick context:Seller is elderly and very trusting, so I’m prioritizing clarity, legality, and peace of mind for herProperty has an existing mortgage at 4.375%She’s open to letting me take over payments, and we’re looking at options like subject-to, wraparound, or seller financeI’m not looking to cut corners or “hack” the process — just want to do it the right way, avoid trouble, and keep this deal safe, simple, and cleanI’m specifically looking for a real estate attorney in Texas (bonus if you’re familiar with Hood County or the DFW area) who:✅ Understands creative finance deals (SubTo, wraps, seller carries)✅ Can draft documents that protect both sides✅ Has worked with title companies that are SubTo-friendly✅ Ideally understands how to minimize due-on-sale riskAny referrals or recommendations would be seriously appreciated!