I just got a call from them inquiring about one of my units.

There are some caviets to this but inquire this strategy with your new loan officer and see what they say after they run it up the flag pole.

I appreciated how conscientious a tenant she was for inquiring first!!

I immediately inquired as to why I was receiving a bill for something that I never approved and was told that notification of the repair and the costs involved had been "given in advance".

That is not always the case, so do inquire about the owner liability with the association or their documents.

One of my customers went to them for help, and he asked for references, and they said they don't provide them, but he still went through them, and he said 10 days later he had 12 inquires on his personal credit, which tanked his score and no loan.Joe Gore

Most of the loans i have inquired about are 1-2 years with interest only payments every month and balloon payment at end of the term 1-2 years.

Sounds then like the debt was reaffirmed, probably the case if it was owner occupied.I suggest you find the BK, the attorney and inquire as to the status of the property and you should be able to find the disposition in records.

I am coming from a novice standpoint so I am purely inquiring, but isn't the best solution to nip it in the bud right from the start with detailed scopes of work and contracts?

@Jon K. i am all about the "what ifs" which is why i am inquiring about this a year in advance.