my sampling of those podcast showed them to be rather Upper-Canada centric ... nonetheless they can be entertaining and do contain the odd bit of usefulness.

For the roof you get core samples as some owners just like to throw another layer on top but the substructure is falling apart and the whole roof needs replacing.

@Elijah FastYour lender and possible your insurer will require a Phase 1 assessment .... this is predominately a visual inspection and paper exercise (costing anywhere from $750 - $2500) with the objective of discovering any potential contamination of the property (or demonstrating that there is none).An abandoned underground storage tank (UST) is something which should be disclosed by the vendor (it appears that it has been in this instance), but it is an example of the sorts of things a Phase 1 ESA looks to discover.Depending on the results of the Phase 1, you may very well be requested to continue with a Phase II ESA.Having a Phase 1 lets you know what you are walking into ... which is why lenders want them.  

On flat roofs you have to look at poles, HVAC etc. attached to the roof.When contractors do not install properly they can leak from the bolts put in the roof, bad flashing,etc.Flat roof you usually get core samples to see the quality underneath the most recent layer put on.

Should pay you up front and at time of exercise if done properly.Both of these strategies are extremely uncommon in most markets these days so you should have plenty of time to research LOAs while you hunt for one. 

My parents also have a $200K court judgment for a judicial sale on the property against this lien, but they have not exercised that judgment. 

I'll reiterate that at this stage I'm not yet ready to jump on any one property, this is purely an educational exercise for me.

Bigger Pockets help  Sounds like you are doing a Wrap with a balloon, not a Subject To and in addition to that, sounds like the bank can exercise the Due on Sale clause.

Mold  air sample test came back low, more mold outside than inside. 

I won't focus to much on the agent side of it, but of course I will exercise the duties in future deals of my own and hopefully a few referrals here and there.