To get to the the root of "as-is", find out if seller intends to deny access for inspections altogether.

We are rooting for you.

You will have lots of BP cheerleaders rooting for you no matter the damage done to the sellers, lies, deceit, and dishonesty.

let me address the core root of your question: how to build your buyers list.REIA groups are a great way to meet local people in your area - try to make it to as many as you can and be very active in the group.

Some other cities are highly troubled due to corruption or long rooted issues (Waterbury), and some of those are further along to improving (Bridgeport).  

People who are looking to buy are looking to set down roots, maybe have a family - in short, they're probably looking to stay a while and will want to have a lot of bases covered right off the bat (whereas renters may be thinking they will move or buy elsewhere 'when the time comes' whatever the 'time' might be).

Real estate is a tough go rooted in death.

But we often buy houses that have been sitting empty for some time and have plumbing lines that have become blocked with tree roots and debris. 

I have spent my life in the military, and then college, and then traveling for work and for pleasure, and soaking up all that there is to see and learn and do in the world... essentially doing anything but learning to build wealth, and setting down roots somewhere. 

You'd want to know if the line is sagging in certain spots due to erosion of the concrete, any offsets in the line, cracks, root intrusion.