If this is a time-sensitive matter, though, just be warned that you racing against the clock to get a solid foundation poured before the winter freeze sets in.

Here you agreed you wanted to purchase the price for X (Which could have been high or low, you should have enlisted the services of a professional to represent you, which you did not), the seller agreed to sell it to you for X, so that is the market price of the property.The appraisal is not performed as a means of safeguarding your interests, and even though you pay for it, it is not actually your property depending on the state (some states do grant you ownership of the report).

Some people are more sensitive to this stuff than others.

My question is, what can an investor do to safeguard against this kind of problem?

To the extent not confidential or sensitive in nature, if you'd like for me to take a look at whatever you've drafted I would be happy to 'lend' some feedback.

Also, the offer may be time sensitive, thus you are having to drop what you are doing to evaluate the deal and again, might not get it.  

Although the organization offering the investments may do the tracking to not allow you to over invest, so that be be the safeguard.

I'm sensitive to your quest and issue and have been pondering what to say...Find local real estate investor groups.  

At this sensitive point in pregnancy, I am not sure how safe exposure to pesticides would be either.We are planning to sit down with the property manager tomorrow and try to negotiate lease termination.

"Thin credit" reports are very sensitive to the littlest stupid thing.