There are lots opportunities in easy bay township or downtown Condos (where str is allowed.) direct west of TC has lots str experience opportunities (water front/ farm house , wineries), direct east close to Williamsburg has great opportunities even for long term summer rental to the horse show participant (June to Sep).

In 95 the construction standards improved and they have been improving more and more every year since. 

I believe that under a standard title insurance policy, building code matters, zoning and other governmental restriction on the use of the property are excluded from coverage so unless you purchased an extended form title policy there probably is no coverage, but it never hurts to submit a claim. 

This covered all sides.Just make sure that the final payment includes a standard lien waiver just to be on the safe side.There are platforms that manage this process as well, we used LevelSet.

It seems like this is highly shark-infested waters, with lots of scams and scammers, and the actual information is difficult to obtain...

For example, a distressed house may cost 200k and if fixed sells for 350k, but it needs 100k in work so the spread is 50k and then work in all the holding costs and closing costs and if there is any hiccups you are under water. 

Regarding the other things, this garage was a room before, so it has electricity and water as well because they had the laundry situated there to so, should be much easier.

Bathrooms are considered one of the most dangerous rooms in a house because you have a mixture of water and electrcity in very close proximity.

The property comes with access to water, sewer, and electricity connections.

For example, an experienced plumber may suggest putting hammer arrestors on a plumbing system, to help alleviate potential water hammer problems (knocking noise) and prolong the life of components/fixtures/appliances, but the local building code may not require them.It would also depend on what you are doing the work for and how the deal #'s pencil out.