A good buyer agent prepares the buyer for the realities of property condition and the home inspection process.

The reality is the opposite - if it's not in writing then the PMC doesn't have to provide the service or can charge extra for it!

That being said the only way these low cost providers could protect themselves would be to write their programs in such a way that the benefit their work provides is so low compared to the reality of what is allowable that there isn't any chance of overstatement of depreciation, which means it would be understated and you're leaving money on the table. 

That's REALITY.

In all reality this is the process you as the owner should probably prefer. 

However, I believe if you can get yourself into the proper mindset, put in the countless hours of proper education, then this becomes more of a reality (this philosophy can be applied to more than just REI dreams).Again, no two investors are alike and you've got to understand your inner investor before you decide on which advice to take.

But in reality you can walk the area and see that it will probably never flood.

I can place a sink with all new drain in an hour.- moisture stain: need to investigate cause.  

The reality is the opposite - if it's not in writing then the PMC doesn't have to provide the service or can charge extra for it!

I own some land in OBX and for years wanted to buy a rental property, but the reality is if it is strictly for rental purposes, you will not make money.