Frivolous stuff where plaintiffs were looking to get onto some sort of public assistance forever based on a fall or a stumble where one should not have fallen or stumbled.

Hire a public adjuster.

@Collin Brown, IRS Publication 523 addresses this quite nicely - Vacant land next to home. 

Some buyers (think Cary NC in the 1990s) are looking for attributes not related to economic value, like: common areas, access to public transportation, proximity to parks, etc.

It sounds expensive, but perhaps the property falls under certain requirements, including interconnecting the detectors.Maybe this can shine some light:https://wbcapp.oaklandnet.com/cs/groups/public/documents/translateddocument/b3dk/mdaz/~edisp/dowd003911.pdf

Whether a property is listed publicly or privately doesn't automatically make it a bad/good deal, it just affects the visibility of the deal and more importantly: how motivated the seller is. 

You think he's in the public eye, and can't afford to screw people.  

Property tax is public record, you can look up a neighbor's property.Ask a neighbor about their utility costs.Call an insurance broker and get a quote based on your build specs.

@Jesse Bennett, I have not, but Chris's experience aligns with my perception.  

IRS Publication 537 outlines installment sales (seller financing), which, depending on the seller's individual circumstances, can defer and sometimes reduce the amount of capital gain tax owed.