Is there a way to validate info like back taxes, liens, other issues that may be attached to the property that would prevent me from taking over?

Meaning, send a letter to everyone involved in this property of intent to refuse to sell, or hire a building inspector to find faults, or other such actions to delay or prevent a sale?

Some towns have brutal rent control ordinances that can prevent you from increasing your annual rents. 

This would not prevent your debt to income ratio from being too high, because the mortgage would initially be in your name the banks will still view this the same.Lastly, the six figure bracket is not always as easy as it seems in real estate because things will come up that you completely did not expect and take a huge chunk out of what you're expecting.

:__________________________________________________________Yes ____________________visual inspection of components conducted with no notable defects no water was introduced due to intact winterization _____________________________________several shingles were missing or out of place on the roof, no water stains inside nor in the attic Roof: Damaged --Other: N/ARoofing in acceptable condition?

If the NOD has been filed and the property is going through it's listing phase in the local paper leading up the the auction date are there any impediments that would prevent it from being a viable (assignable) deal?

Anyway, I don't have short sale experience but I can't see why a seller could prevent you from doing whatever you feel like doing with a property once you own it. 

It list anything that might be wrong. ( stain on carpet, leaky faucet, etc)When tenant moves out you do a move out inspection and compare it to the move in.

A few days before closing, a company treated and re-stained all the decks in the community.

No piece of paper can prevent hurt feelings if the situation turns bad.