IMO, you have two options. 1) Refuse to honor the request for a prelim and return the entire deposit. 2) Make time for the preliminary and then make deductions for repair costs as you normally would with any move-out.

Run some preliminary numbers first.

A few points of explanation: (1) I'm trying to buy near where I live, so I figured mentioning the town I live in will make it clear I am local--hopefully a point in my favor, (2) I figured the point of verifying basic information is really to let the owner know I am not clueless and have done my preliminary research, and finally (3) I'm not sure all that I should verify on that initial call, as my primary goal is to walk the property and engage face to face with the owner.

Post preliminary investigation from sources, it seems (not confirmed) there is leak in ground.

We are looking at a rundown MHP in the area to potentially flip into a tiny home community and looking for boots on the ground support to do a preliminary walk through of the property and surrounding area for us.

Only 2 options if you are a W2 wager earner. 1.

Pay special attention to the exclusions listed on the preliminary commitment and make sure you are ok with those and that you understand them. 

Annexation, zoning, density, preliminary, and final plat approvals are examples of the steps associated with increasing site value.How much value is created is determined by deducting the "as-is" value from the entitled value.Establishing the entitled value involves determining and underwriting the Highest & Best use of the site and applying a residual analysis.A residual Land Value Analysis is conducted by establishing the built-out value of the project and deducting everything from the total value BUT land.The generic formula Total Sales or Capitalized Value - a Target Project Proft - commissions & closing costs = Residual Project Budget - Site Cost - Hard Cost - Soft Cost - Finance Interest points and fees = RESIDUAL LAND VALUE Residual Land Value is the price that can be paid to acquire the property that is supported by the Project planned to be built on it.One of the most important factors in doing this analysis is an Income-Driven approach.

did you get a preliminary hud to see what the closing costs are ? 

., a mortgage) to increase the potential return on an investment.Lien: A legal right or interest in a property held by a creditor as security for a debt.Like-Kind Exchange: A tax-deferred exchange of one investment property for another, as defined in Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.Listing Agreement: A contract between a property owner and a real estate agent or broker, authorizing the agent to represent and market the property.Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio: The ratio of the mortgage loan amount to the appraised value of the property, expressed as a percentage.Lock-In Period: A specified period during which a borrower cannot refinance or repay a mortgage without incurring penalties.Lot Line: The boundary separating one property from another.Low-E Glass: Low-emissivity glass designed to minimize heat transfer and improve energy efficiency in windows.Market Analysis: Evaluation of local real estate market conditions to make informed investment decisions.Market Value: The estimated value of a property in the current market conditions.Master Plan: A comprehensive long-term plan for land use and development within a community.MLS (Multiple Listing Service): A database of real estate listings shared among real estate professionals.Mortgage: A loan used to finance the purchase of real estate, with the property serving as collateral.Mortgage Broker: A professional who connects borrowers with lenders and helps facilitate mortgage transactions.Mortgage Insurance: Insurance that protects the lender in case the borrower defaults on the mortgage.Mortgage Note: A legal document outlining the terms and conditions of a mortgage loan.Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU): A building containing multiple separate living spaces, such as apartments or condominiums.Negative Amortization: A situation where loan payments are insufficient to cover the interest, resulting in the unpaid interest being added to the loan balance.Net Operating Income (NOI): The total income generated by a property minus operating expenses, excluding debt service and income taxes.Non-Recourse Loan: A loan where the borrower is not personally liable for repayment and the lender's only recourse is the collateral.Notary Public: An official authorized to witness and certify signatures on legal documents.Notice of Default (NOD): A formal notice filed by a lender indicating that a borrower is in default on their mortgage.Offer: A proposal made by a buyer to purchase a property, including the proposed purchase price and terms.Open House: A scheduled period during which a property is available for viewing by potential buyers.Option Fee: A fee paid by a buyer to secure the option to purchase a property within a specified time frame.Origination Fee: A fee charged by a lender for processing a mortgage loan application.Owner Financing: A purchase arrangement where the seller provides financing to the buyer.Parcel Number: A unique identifier assigned to a specific piece of land for legal and administrative purposes.Planned Unit Development (PUD): A type of residential development with a combination of housing, commercial, and recreational spaces.Points: Fees paid to a lender at closing in exchange for a lower interest rate on a mortgage.Pre-Approval: A preliminary approval from a lender indicating the borrower's creditworthiness and the maximum loan amount.Prepayment Penalty: A fee charged by a lender if a borrower pays off a mortgage loan before the scheduled maturity date.Principal: The original amount of money borrowed in a mortgage loan, excluding interest.Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): Insurance that protects the lender in case of default, typically required for conventional loans with a down payment below 20%.Promissory Note: A legal document containing a borrower's promise to repay a specified amount to a lender under certain terms.Property Management: The oversight and operation of real estate properties on behalf of the owner.Purchase Agreement: A legally binding contract outlining the terms and conditions of a property sale.Quiet Title: Legal action taken to establish or confirm ownership of a property.Real Estate Agent: A licensed professional who represents buyers or sellers in real estate transactions.Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT): A company that owns, operates, or finances income-generating real estate.Real Property: Land and anything permanently attached to it, including buildings.Refinance: The process of replacing an existing mortgage with a new one, often to obtain better terms or rates.Rent Control: Government regulations limiting the amount by which landlords can increase rents on residential properties.Rent-to-Own: An arrangement where a tenant has the option to purchase the rented property after a specified period.Resale Value: The estimated value of a property upon resale in the future.Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS): Securities backed by residential mortgages.Reverse Mortgage: A financial product that allows homeowners aged 62 or older to convert home equity into cash.Right of First Refusal: The right to match an offer before a property is sold to someone else.Second Mortgage: A subordinate mortgage taken out on a property that already has a primary mortgage.Seller's Agent: A real estate agent representing the seller in a transaction.Seller's Disclosure: A document where the seller discloses known defects or issues with the property.Short Sale: A sale of real estate where the proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property's loan.Survey: A measurement of a property's boundaries and features.Tax Lien: A claim against a property for unpaid taxes.Title: A legal term referring to ownership of a property.Title Company: A company that examines and insures title to a property.Title Insurance: Insurance that protects against financial loss due to defects in title.Title Search: An examination of public records to verify a property's ownership history.Transfer Tax: A tax imposed on the transfer of real property.Underwriting: The process of evaluating a borrower's creditworthiness and risk in mortgage lending.VA Loan: A mortgage loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible veterans and service members.Vacancy Rate: The percentage of time a rental property is unoccupied, affecting overall rental income.Vendor Take-Back Mortgage: A financing arrangement where the seller provides part or all of the mortgage financing to the buyer.Walk-Through: A final inspection of a property before the closing to ensure it's in the agreed-upon condition.Wholesaling: A real estate investment strategy where an investor contracts to buy a property and then sells the contract to another buyer for a profit without taking ownership.Wraparound Mortgage: A financing arrangement where a new mortgage "wraps around" an existing mortgage on the property.Yield: The return on an investment, often expressed as a percentage.Zoning: Government regulations that control the use of land and the types of structures that can be built.Zoning Ordinance: Local laws or regulations that specify the permitted uses of land and the requirements for development.This dictionary includes a wide range of real estate terms, covering various aspects of the industry.