(my background: been doing wetland delineations and permitting in the gulf coast states for 10 years)I'd recommend you contact a local environmental consultant on that one.

May answer as to what you need to know before you make an offer is basically "everything" with the exception of less than obvious defects to the structure or situations that need environmental testing.

I have a contact at elements financial that is amazing, we only stopped using them because we had to go commercial and they don't offer commercial solutions.Like anything, if you execute well it'll be a great idea and if you execute poorly it will have been a bad endeavor.

You can stop the clock from ticking on potential adverse possession claims by taking certain actions that eliminate one or more elements of the neighbors' potential causes of action. 

We did research on area and we knew there are bad elements but i think we underestimated the problem (You know mind plays with us when we have already decided to do something especially when you have overconfidence on yourself ).

If you know any private pilots, ask them if they've ever heard of a product named "H.E.R.E" - Human Element Range Extender ... :-) One might also recall something called the "Fireman's Friend" from an old Burt Reynolds movie (don't recall the name just now) ...

It is a Depression-Era, 1930 single family home with Art Deco design elements located about a block from the city's rejuvenated downtown area, where there are shops and restaurants, and across the street from The Siloam Springs Museum.

(I am hoping that there is no load bearing element in this wall)- Get rid of carpet and replace is with LVP- Change out light fixture- Somehow manage a small living room space.- Repaint the cabinets and add hardware.- Add a nice dresser and a mobile clothing rack.- Add a washer and dryer in the bathroom Anyway...any input appreciated.

Pretty much every Phase I or II environmental site assessment I've ever seen references past studies, and not just studies done by the same company.

I imagine simply based on how they made their business and money, there is an element of high risk / high reward.