Matthew Terry From the information you provided, it sounds like this absentee owner (AO) still owns the property.

So here's the scenario...An AOS was signed by all parties and slated to go to settlement in several weeks (Dec. 22nd).

Although very educated and in RE industry for 20 years or so with over 1,000 transactions she says NO WAY IN *^LL we're buying a property with a clouded title that we know about......Ao only way it will happen is if I can somehow get it cleared up or get the seller to do that.Anyway, I'm going on a six month trip to Alaska and back in with my family in our RV starting next month.

The company I used to work for the underwriters got a lot of exposure because they would be working directly with the acquisitions officers, but also sat in on the acquisition meetings with the two principals, CIO, COO, CFO, AO, etc.  

With a o many different strategies, I just wanted to make sure I was starting off on the right path. 

I would be surprised if you get an AO for under 90k.Second: Rehab cost - in my area a full rehab is usually somewhere between $40 and $50 per sqft.

Here is a link to the Freddie Mac update  https://www.allregs.com/AO/Viewform.aspx?

Do you setup insurance right away with the closing date on the AOS?

Due to clear title not being produced, we signed a release from the AOS form confirming that our deposit would be returned.

Even now with 5 to 30 offers on any listings, once the seller has an AO its hard to go back.