It is very common to see automotive, gas stations, and dry cleaners that have environmental issues which can get expensive beyond belief.If you want to do whats called a desktop review or RSRA report to see what kind of environmental issues the property may have please let me know.

There is no natural gas in the town. 

So I question the validity of the source, which is who by the way?

Has a list of people waiting to rent there and is getting $675 per unit. 2 years ago one of the tenants left the gas stove on with food cooking and it burned down the 3rd unit, due to insurance reasons he had to remove the building pad as well after demo.

If you're suggesting he pull equity out of current residence, use it as a downpayment on new residence, and turn current residence into a long-term rental, that's a valid strategy, however he would have to evaluate ROI on the potential rental, and be able to qualify for the loan on new residence with a higher DTI ratio.

Especially, around the AC and where the Gas lines went into the house.

Then contract is void unless both parties continue to act as if contract is valid.

It seems like we're definitely close to the bottom, and with Oil and Gas activity picking up, it should definitely help stabilize prices.

This one is easier as there's natural gas lines and I can just convert it over but still pricey ($5-7k)The seller doesn't have the funds to make the repairs so I'm trying to find a way to make this deal happenWithout getting bids, I'm estimating about $15-20k for rehabbing these items (FEEL FREE TO TELL ME I'M WAY OUT TO LUNCH)....this is on top of the $5-8k I budgeted to put into the interior.I'm not a flipper and was looking at this as a buy and hold cash flowing property.Looking where to go with this one:A) Reduce offer by $15-20k to $155k- Cons: I'm going to have to find a loan as I need my capital for other purchases in the hopperB) Reduce to $160k and get $5k in closing help- Cons: I'm still going to be out of pocket but b/n closing help and reduced downpayment would be able to get most of the work done and just put the rest on a credit card and use the cash flow to pay it down over the next 12 months.C) WalkD) Other options???

Perhaps he's interested in defending you in the civil action.One of the prerequisites to having title insurance is a valid, recorded deed.