Possible first deal, advice please

[Stan C.]

I am planning on purchasing this first property as either a starter home then converting into a rental in a year or possibly just putting it up for rent as soon as I purchase it. Here are some facts about it from what I have found online: It is a single family 1 floor and full basement, 3 bedroom 1.5 bath. 3800 square feet lot and over 900 square feet. Built 1939. It is not on the market because the person that owned it passed away and his family came up here to take care of all his belongings. The story about the house from the neighbor is that he bought it in 2010 as a HUD foreclosure sale for 20k and put in 30k of renovations into it. I have contacted the wife of the house and checked it out and she plans on leaving everything in the house furnished and doesn't want to take any thing back with her. The inside looked great. She said she would take 36k cash just to rush the process instead of waiting for someone with a loan. My real question is what kind of things should I be looking for in a house this old but renovated recently. And what are some suggestions of questions I could be asking. And how long does the process of purchasing a home with cash usually take, as well as what kind of paperwork is involved. Thank you in advance for any advice/answers to my questions.