From what we heard, the previous owners had rented to people who were doing/dealing drugs.

I won't go into pricing or valuation but you're buying much in the same way as you'd buy a used car or boat from a dealer instead of from the individual owner.

One of the tenants moved out ("the best one"), and a new guy moved in who was "a little shady".Long story short, the newest tenant was a drug dealer who was under surveillance by the police.

I get hijacked by Mexican drug cartel and put on an airplane and while I'm being slowly dissected while still alive and with no pain killers the plane crashes into an active volcano...

We obtained the police report which shows drugs were found in the apartment.

The second place seemed to be much better but then while I was walking around looking my wife saw two instances of drug activity in the area.I would really love to purchase out of state if I could reduce the risk as much as possible up front.

I doubt that they have money to dispose, unless it is drug money they need to clean.

This really leads sellers to lean that direction, not only is this route unethical (like most may think, who cares) you can be operating illegally, tortuous conduct.I believe most investors (operators/dealers) don't understand RE, many enter residential RE looking at the money and nothing else.

The owner might accept it or they will counter.While investors and operators often see themselves as wheeler-dealers, killer negotiators that offer almost nothing, skip over the usual and customary as if they have special skills in getting homerun deals, that is probably only the case in their mind.

Upfront payments is usually the MO of drug dealers and those who don't want to comply with the other rules of your lease.The hardest evictions are for items not related to rent payment, ask any eviction attorney.