I suggest going to the actual court and finding the leads yourself.

Basically how do you help a motivated seller out of a bad situation where they free of the debt? 

Basically get a soft no, "not interested at this time", never even asked me for a dollar amount.

Basically, do you think higher CoL area might be closer to a 40% rule instead of 50%?

Most (if not all) will give you a free consultation, which is basically a phone call to see if there's some synergy, if there's an opportunity to work together, and some initial, high-level guidance. 

I doubt it allows for 2 units (it’s probably SFH.) assuming that, you can’t make it 2 legal units (adding an ADU is different, as I don’t think you’re allowed to take space from the main house for the ADU- it’s usually added sq footage.) and even if it allows for 2 legal units you may have to add a second parking spot, separate utility services (read: expensive and a PITA to install.)So the simple plan is to basically do the minimum work needed, as you describe, without permits just to separate the 2 living spaces out.

In Oakwood, OH, an investor took the city to court for their POS laws, that were eventually deemed unconstitutional, because they infringed on the citizens' 4th amendment rights."

Basically, yes.

Basically allowing small investors to get into the game using a 30 year term loan at todays interest rates rather than hard money lenders at high rates.

I always check the court filings for the local municipal and common pleas courts online.