Particularly with a 3-year window, that is just gambling.  

Had the sewer scope inspection revealed the extent of the repairs required to ensure the property was inhabitable; I could have chosen not to pursue the purchase or negotiated with the seller with this very important information. 

@Jay HinrichsI too am going to gamble a bit spread out but havent jumped in yet .

That being said it is not something I would gamble with.

Without knowledge and a workable plan, you are gambling, with little or no chance of success."

Putting money in the stock market short term is just gambling.

He also says that knowing the market you're getting into is key, otherwise, you're just gambling.

It is pure gambling unless you have a proven long-term near guaranteed Edge on the market.

So what ever reason people have to advocate why absentee owners are a good list there are equally as many reasons why they wouldn't want to sell.it is a gamble.

In the mean time, other than if there is a hot water issue (in some areas) there isn't a lot you can do to force them to do things.And no place is perfect, I'm sure there are a lot of great things about living there that you like, or you wouldn't have chosen it.