I think everyone brought up some excellent points and I'll try to address them to hopefully give a better picture:Yes, the bank lowered the amount they would be willing to loan based on the appraisal, meaning more cost out of pocket to me if the price stays.I haven't been able to discern the reason appraisal was so much lower.

All I have been able to discern, is the fact that real property exists in the estate but at least in the ones I've looked at, I've found no specific property addresses; only phrases like "all my real estate, I leave to so and so..."

Do you discern between felony and misdemeanor?  

Additionally, as @Bill Gulley and @Joe Villeneuve have indicated, you need the education and knowledge to discern a deal from a dog or, better yet, make a deal out of a dog.

Your cold callers should be asking what they want to sell their homes for($$) , why they are interested in selling, how soon they are looking to sell etc—to discern levels of motivation.

Could be something as simply as an overflowed toilet that just simply needs to have a clog removed.Best advice is discern what caused it the best you can, and then have several plumbers come take a look.

Thoughts on how to discern the difference?

@John Smithe  I applaud your discernment. 

Just be aware that if you initiate or she initiates anything in Landlord Tenant court then you will have a record that any discerning, properly vetting landlord will see.

I am yet to discern his motivations for selling but all his properties appear to have been listed for quite some time.My intention was to see if the seller would be interested in seller financing the property in the following terms...$70,000 Seller financing6.5% interest only payment a month of $310, 5 year term with balloon payment.