Even if this property were worth offering on, I would still ask for a low/no down-payment or a reduction in price to cover the necessary renovations.I hope you find something of use in here.

If the feedback you get from potential buyers is too high, then you'll need to go for a pricing reduction or reduce your potential margin to meet their need for lower pricing.

I was able to get him down to $525 before asking him for a final reduction to $500, which led him to break it off.

A good tenant is worth their weight in gold sometimes.

I know I need to give a bigger weight to OPM while getting started, and likely will as I get closer to my first residential deal.

Concentrate on large findings that should result in price reduction or a credit at closing.  

Even though I am buying "as-is", can I request a reduction of price (already under contract).

Buyer agent's commissions are paid by seller and most often the listing agent will just work both sides (taking no reduction in fee/overall price) if a buyer comes without an agent - they will do so as a transaction broker in Colorado.

However, assuming you would be permitted to merged the lots, the cost of merging and the negative implications when it comes time to divest may outweigh any reduction in property tax.

I can see where you are coming from regarding weight bearing but, most weight bearing walls on a standard home are close to center or perpendicular wall intersections making in impractical in some cases.