Roads, water, sewer, gas, electric, etc..I'm also here for any discussion on any other items that might be of note, trying to learn as much as possible on this front.

One your loans will be a higher interest rate, next you will have annual filings, the cost of a registered agent every year, and items like that. 

And addressing my item #1 comment, almost always, when a "distressed" homeowner is approached, they initially are grateful to have the loan brought current, but before long they forget the circumstances they were in and you become the bad guy that stole their house.

Regarding next steps, I agree that the best way to approach this would be to have one person act as boots on the ground and the other person handle the back office related items.

I would stop work until an itemized scope of work and cost to completion is established.

Some people are sending supplies (clothes, other needed items like school supplies, food for humans and pets, etc). 

An example was a line item for alimony (I am single and have never been married).

Unless the item is a total fabrication.  

So using your words "Lockup" the property but make sure your offer includes due diligence items to protect yourself.

I would highly encourage paying a GC to walk deals out the gate, have them give a scope of work so you can see what items costs.