However, upon further discovery, the purchase price and rehab costs were closer to 85% of ARV, far outside of most private/hard money guidelines, especially for a beginner. 

I spent most of my life as a general contractor, and often work with investors without much construction knowledge so I can help them figure things out during the discovery process.

It is a process of discovery. 

Discovery that the tenants have moved out months prior and the property has now been vandalized multiple times, even burnt down with no one's knowledge.

I don't believe that you could be compelled to it during the discovery part unless in very specific instances.

This isn't a retrade, its a request in response to discovery of latent defects. 

There are several ghost chaser shows on discovery or history or those channels. 

Upon discovery we required that they complete and application and be added to the lease. 

I have no store or office space, it's just someone writing me a check.Does a city even have a way to discover I received this referral fee from someone?

My experience is that most real estate investors who thought they had a foolproof asset protection plan experience a high amount of stress and anger once they learn of the cost and energy it will take to defend it in court and the amount of private information that will need to be turned over to the creditor in the discovery process.