You could even go the extra effort and send them pictures of the houses tall grass or missing shingles and the owner may not even know they are in such bad shape that they may be more interesting in selling quickly. 

I'm not sure where shingles originate, but I doubt that it's China.

For example, I wonder if I just knew exactly how to measure the roof and purchase the shingles for a roof if I could find a more "day laborer" rate installer.

Not to mention, the house we're under contract on would have never qualifed for FHA because it's missing a few shingles that we'll need to pay a qualifed contractor to replace.So my recommendation, shop around at local banks/credit unions for a mortgage if your credit is good.

"Roof Comments:Granule loss was noted at the shingles but no leaking was noted.Other than the granule loss the shingles appear to be serviceable.

Closing tomorrow.I liked the new architectural shingle roof, nice curb appeal.

So my answer is .... it depends on what you want to do, just be sure you understand what all is involved in hanging your own shingle on the door.

Sounds like you have a retail contractor.I can get a 4 unit building that is almost 5,000 sq ft completed with hardy and labor and materials for 8,000.On the roofs you have to pay attention to number of layers put on it and also hail damage,bad run routes for water drainage and flashing and caulk issues.Here is Georgia you can have a 20 year roof but because of our weather extremes the expanding and contracting will wear out the roof shingles much faster.

Or are they run down, paint and shingles peeling off them, with iron bars over the windows and broken down cars parked on the dead lawn?

The kitchen has only bare walls (no appliances, cabinets, countertops), certain sections of the roof have been patched with felt paper instead of shingles (most likely the whole needs to be replaced), basement has limestone walls and is moist (I believe that water is leaking into it).