An ESA phase I is an examination of the strata and history of the landuse/earth work at the subject property.

It’ll help specialize the knowledge rather than taking Stats 101 or something more general like that.

no problem as long as your attorney examine the title history and says you are ok.  

Inspectors in my area are now being trained to say "weird substance, could be mold, needs to be examined professionally" on every house.    

Agree with @Don Konipol and @Jaysen Medhurst.Found a stat on the NAR website "FSBOs accounted for 7% of home sales in 2017.

There may be an "if" to expense this for taxes under the Safe Harbor for Small Taxpayers, but that is a big "IF".As a major component of the HVAC subsystem of the building unit of property, we'd place this in service with a recovery period of 27.5yr or 39yr under GDS, depending on fact and circumstance.Form 4562 reports depreciation and amortization, as well as property put into service during the year, but you're unlikely to divine knowledge by examining the form. 

Rather than try to determine which angle holds more weight I think what everyone is suggesting is to examine each scenario and learn something about the property from each. 

Examine the analysis for errors.  

Examine their management agreement, check to see if there is an out clause if you are dissatisfied, make sure it spells out the responsibilities of the owner and the property manager 7.

I'm currently studying for the GC exam in NC.