This will give you a good foundation on what to expect.4.

I was at a real estate estate auction this Sunday. Driving there I assumed $20k would be max bid for me. Walking the house just before the auction everything looked as I expected it to.

only 4 of us were at the a...

I also, can continue the eviction if the bank doesn't carry it out.4 bed 3 bath 2400 sqft with over an acre of landpurchase around $205k  ARV of $360-400k with an estimated reno cost of $50k The Unknown:for being an REO Occupied property, there are no interior pictures so I was only able to see the one picture of the exterior of the home (luckily enough I live a mere 15 minutes away and can check the exterior and neighborhood better)Connecticut has a crumbling foundation issue with many homes (crossing my fingers but also researched a little bit to make myself feel better)How much reno will be needed? 

I think it is quite possible that it would dehumidify a larger area but for the walls, but ofcourse who knows for sure.I have no idea on the install price because we got the house when an aunt died and she had it done way back right after hurricane Irene flooded the whole basement, but there wasn't a choice on pro install because a hole had to be cut into the foundation as there was no window, I have a feeling if a venting spot existed it would be a pretty easy diy project.

Along with this, the home had to be bolted to the foundation, which many older California homes are not. 

And of course your area may be different in terms of cost and also some jobs don't require a full cosmetic renovation, but most of mine have.Then of course check the big ticket items like HVAC, roof, exterior siding/masonry repair, windows, interior sheetrock replacement, foundation and water heater and know approximately what it will cost to fix/replace each if warranted.  

Could someone just have filled the basement with sand and boarded it up, or is it possible that the foundation is built on ground level? 

Within one week of closing the contractor said he had completely misjudged the amount of foundational work needed to expand the home and needed $75,000 more to complete the job.

I'm hesitant to pour a ton of self leveling compound due to added weight on the foundation may cause more settling damage. 

Dwelling (Building coverage)The limit should be based on the Replacement Cost of the building (cost to rebuild with the same kind and quality excluding the foundation)2.