Tree Roots in Backyard - Help!

[EDWARD M.]

I visited a two-family home this evening and liked everything about it. Rents were good, location was okay, property was in good shape, but there was just one thing that worried me about it. In the backyard, theres a short tree with roots that visibly reach out distances of 10-12 feet or so with the visible ends under the porch. I'm worried that there may be potential, if not existed damage to the foundation or plumbing of the home. The property does not have a basement, it has a ground floor apartment so the foundation may not be as strong as that of a home with a basement. Another thing is the property is at the bottom of a hill, not sure if that makes a difference. What are the costs of either removing or digging in a root barrier of some sort? And what are the chances there is already structural damage to the home? Can a structural engineer make that determination without any excavating? Not sure if I should put an offer on the home.