Cockroaches: A deal-breaker?

[Noelle Lothamer]

I have an opportunity to buy a performing 3-unit (with 2 additional potential basement units) via private sale from an older landlord who is looking to start stepping back from his responsibilities. He owns around a dozen properties, so if things went well, there could be the potential for more private deals down the road. Most comparable properties in the same neighborhood are listing around 120-150k; I think I could get this one for 90k. BUT-- my friend is a tenant there and she reports that the house has cockroaches! 

This is a free-standing house, not attached. Also, I lived in this neighborhood (albeit several years ago) and never had a problem in my house or saw them in friends' houses. If the current owner has it professionally sprayed, what are the odds of me having to regularly treat this? I don't want to buy a property and have to spend thousands per year on pest control!! Never had to deal with this particular situation so any advice is appreciated. 

[JD Martin]

It wouldn't stop me. I bought a hoarder house once where the county actually had a biohazard company go in and remediate. They had to remove the bottom third of drywall because of rot and mold from food and junk. There were roaches everywhere. They tore out the kitchen cabinets because of roaches and mold. The clawfoot tub rotted through because she was using the tub as a garbage can and the trash juice ate through the cast iron!

When I got this house there were roach carcasses behind everything - switch plates, things hanging on the wall, etc. The house was sealed and bombed and I've never had a single roach complaint there. 

Roaches are disgusting but can be overcome.