I’m sure the process felt like root canal without anasthesia but you may not be as bad off as you think.

Plumbing - for example, if the pipes are old iron pipes and they're rusting through, or if the sewer line to the street needs to be replaced because it's old or tree roots grew through it.

Although it sounds like your probably aware enough and experienced enough to root out faux lenders.. 

The doorbell is the root of the landlord's problem -- I would first try to get rid of the doorbell, and if I could not, I would get rid of the tenant who won't remove the doorbell.

This fortifies the pipe and prevents roots from growing into the joints.  

@Dennis Rootes they are.

Originally posted by @Wayne Brooks:I’m thinking they know they can get generous appraisals through these lenders, since they typically try to sell above true market value.Wayne, you get right to the root of my concern. 

Just finnaly getting settled and rooted back in my hometown of Frederick Md.

Also, there are a couple of trees on the neighbor's property whose roots would span into the area where the main sewer line runs.According to the home inspector who took photos of the crawl space, he says it not as bad as it could be, and no significant signs of flooding out.

Were you able to discuss with him what the root of his actual motivations are to request this release?