From some preliminary research (before I closed on the JT property), I think that neighbor-notification requirement might apply only to the town of Yucca Valley. 

@Eric Huang on the property you sent its hard to tell for sure, but a preliminary search shows just one tax parcel and Single Family zoning.

Many architects are willing to charge hourly rates to determine this and it should take less than a day.The more detailed the information you require, the more accurate the number will be, but if you are running preliminary numbers to find a great new build project, having an architect you trust on 'retainer' could be well worth your while.

I plan on offering him $40,000 based off of the condition of the home and what it will take (my preliminary rehab projections $70,000ish) to bring it back to life.  

Does not seem like a situation conducive to building up that next downpayment... plus when I leave, now there's a $1500 +/- hole that will leave me in the red, regardless of whether or not I can find a couple to fill it.More research to be done, but my preliminary findings lead me to believe that, in Seattle, my only real route here is to be tenacious about seeking out a deal on a distressed 3-4 bedroom, and then go all-in trying to rehab it so I only have to eat one, maybe two full mortgage payments. 

When I have a solid lead like this I get a preliminary report from the title company that gives a little more insight into the owner, I cross-reference the data with my online research tools and track them down.

The only issue you will run into is needing to learn preliminary languages before you even reach the part where you design and code apps.

What kind of preliminary work can I do before I close on a property?

It'll be a crazy, uncomfortable ride if you watch it daily, but if you buy then turn off your computer and burn the statements for a few years I'd be willing to wager nearly everything good company will be higher than it is today.Housing deals will be aplenty as some people only look at the current situation and make emotional decisions.

For us, "project completion" is defined as the date when all work is complete, all inspections passed and permits officially closed, and the final client walk-through is complete and approved (we complete a preliminary walk-through in the last week of the project to blue tape any remaining issues and create a running "punch list" that is shared with our clients so everyone is on the same page).