There is no answer, there are simply alternatives. 

They tear it out when they leave, and leave you a big hole.  

I would think that if the mortgage was recorded properly, it will simply be paid off.This is a question that you probably should have asked of the title company / lawyer before going under contract. 

I am currently a 19 year old looking to simply gain as much financial education, simultaneously saving money for future investments. 

Its simply not feasible to run title on everything that you want to bid on if your out west.the reason is you can look at 50 props you like and only 1 maybe 2 will actually go to sale and you have competition on those.. now i am talking TRUE foreclosure sales not Auction after the fact.

Or is it simply cosmetic or preventative or an upgrade?

If you had the money to close, there would be no worry of that, you would simply close on it yourself then.

You can pay the loan with ANY money, but you simply use your spouses income to qualify for the loan. 

At $700K for some of these 3 families, the numbers simply don't make sense.

I'm guessing you didn't go through insurance, but you should simply let your insurance provider know that you got a new roof (don't need to say why other than it was older).