If the "cracks" are in the grout lines, and in particular, in a "wet" area such as tub surround or shower floor, this is a bigger problem as it is likely allowing significant moisture to reach your subfloor and cause wood rot.Tile jobs will typically take three working days to complete properly, so your Tenants will need options for use during that time.

Leakage will leave a trail of typically white sediment, and often lead to a joint or corner where the moisture settles and actually rots the wood or attracts carpenter ants/termites.

They are snapped together on top of a moisture barrier and are basically floating.

We knew there was water in the basement but the feeling from our realtors was that it was not excessive for a house of its age and anyway it is the time of year when many older Michigan basements have some moisture.

Two years empty and unmaintained in Houston heat, moisture, bugs and termites make a mess.

We have looked at about 4 split level houses recently and all of them have had mold and moisture issues in the downstairs area.

This could expand into a moisture issues as well by introducing a big temperature change at the roof line.

It is caused by salts/minerals in the material composing the mortar, or brick itself, being leached out (by moisture) to the surface of the brick.  

She divulged this info at our monthly poker game... it just fell in my lap.Data:1700sf3 Bedroom, 1 & 1/2 Baths, w/  bonus office space1 car garage (typical for neighborhood)Comparable properties in neighborhood sell between $150-160kEstimated damage (moisture and general damage) with a contractor at $45k (yeah, nothing to sneeze at; new roof membrane, hvac and ducts (ducts on roof on old NM house), gyp bd work, mold abatement, all new flooring, interior doors, etc.New work would include redoing the kitchen (simple and small, maybe $10k)Upgrade electrical service so we can upgrade the AC ($1.5k)Spruce up landscaping front and back $5kSmall contingency of $4.5k for misc.I feel pretty good about $65k as a healthy flip budgetSo, she owes $98,000We think it only makes sense to go into this if we can get it for $60,000 max (begin negotiations at $50,000).Purchase + flip = $125,000Potential sale on low side of $150,000Potential Profit on low side: $25,000 - carrying costsSo, the real meat of the question (other than feedback on my flip numbers) is what to do about getting the property for its current worth.

The inspection showed no moisture except a slight leak in a kitchen sink drain.