However, a surprise occurred with title that drove up our acquisition cost to almost $120k.

The key element is :"the intent of which is the transfer of title"in law, the intent can be the determining factor, it doesn't have to actually occur or be done in a specific manner.You can speed because you have your foot down too hard on the pedal or you can speed because you are going down hill.

While most who post about asset protection on BiggerPockets are focused on how to remain anonymous and how to prepare for conflict and liability, the billionaires are out there proactively preventing the liability events from occurring in the first place.

The above doesn’t allow any Life events occurring that you don’t already have covered financially.The above is your same lifestyle today.  

Appreciation is occurring and I suspect will continue as the market strengthens.  

Same thing will occur with a downturn in the U.S. stock market. 

The other option is a water supply line, but that would typically resulting a steady leak and the damage would occur faster.Really think about what is above that space that could cause the issue.

His recommendation is a good temporary solution to see if more settling occurs then take measures.1.  

BTW the turn that occurred 18 months prior was very similar.  

Perhaps @Ned Carey will chime in but IMO the valuation should have occurred prior to bidding.