Most people are great, section 8 or otherwise, so when I hear about the "nightmares" from other property owners/investors I always wonder what they are not doing to prevent themselves from being in a nightmare situation.

There are no current lease agreements with any of the tenants and there is a rent ceiling preventing any serious change in rent increase.  

You can use a product called "wet it and forget it" that you spray on house and prevent mold from growing, or you could paint it a green color to have the mold blend in :)

So I was not about to let someLazy non responsive agent prevent that.

It's the old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.The most logical response, is you don't offer a contingency, or you have a "non-refundable" deposit.

Then show it empty putting your best foot forward.Nobody wants to see dishes in the sink, trash in the cans, clothes on the floor, and so on.An EMPTY property is my opportunity to be proactive, fix absolutely everything I find, preventative maintenance, change all filters, clean out dryer vents, bathroom vents, check for slow drains, clean gutters. 

However, since I've never purchased any residence I don't know where to begin and I think that's what prevents me from taking action.

You would likely be required to tell your backup that he/she is in a backup position, but I'm not aware of any law in any state I've worked in recently that would prevent any seller from taking a backup.most backup offers are going to come with the backup position disclosure, which should include a clause saying that if your primary buyer closes, the backup offer is cancelled.

. • Give you the pamphlets “Lead Poisoning Prevention Program:Notice of Tenant’s Rights” and “Protect Your Family FromLead in Your Home.” • Perform Full Risk Reduction Measures (lead hazard treatments)in the property and get a Risk Reduction Certificate, and giveyou a copy of the certificate before you move in.

That would tell me everything I needed to know, and there isn't anything opposing counsel could do to prevent it if I win on dispositive motions.