I found this deal cold calling and gave him an as is offer with concessions being paid out by the seller minus doc stamps on the deed.

Lots of the data plates have long been painted over or are no longer with the homes so we've been looking for the Vin Numbers stamped on the frame of the homes. 

Also, I understood that the city will be verifying any outstanding items and let the buyer know before the "real estate transfer stamp" is completed <= This can take a minimum of 5 days.

There's other upfront costs including stamp duty, 2nd home tax, foreigner purchase tax (solicitor, tax professional, currency broker etc) and then of course the exchange rate. 

Also you should have posted notice at the property in an obvious place, i.e. the front door, with a time-stamped picture.

Typically handwriting the first letter and hand addressing the envelope and using 1st class stamp.

The deputy inspector does the inspection and produces a report, typically a one page stamped sheet showing their inspection.

I went from broke on food stamps to running a multi-million dollar coaching business.

Since we were diligent in proactive management of the property and had TIME DATE stamped photos we won the case.

Other 'closing cost items' are: appraisal, taxes due, documentary stamp tax, title fees - these usually cannot be rolled in loan either.